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Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka will take on Nick Kyrgios in a cross-gender exhibition match in the UAE later this year.

The Belarusian Sabalenka, twenty-seven, and thirty-year-old Australian Kyrgios – ranked 652nd in the world – are set to compete at the Coca-Cola Arena on 28 December.

Four-time Grand Slam champion Sabalenka is the current Wimbledon and US Open champion.

Kyrgios, who reached a career-high world number 13 in 2016, has only played five matches this year since recovering from a significant wrist injury that sidelined him for 18 months.

He has not played on the ATP Tour since exiting in the Miami Open second round in March.

"I have a lot of respect for Nick and his skill, but rest assured, I'm ready to bring my best performance," Sabalenka stated.

Historical Background of ‘Battle of the Sexes’

A trio of recognized contests known as the ‘Battle of the Sexes’ have occurred – most famously between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs in 1973.

US legend Riggs had beaten Australia's Margaret Court before King got payback four months later.

In 1992, a forty-year-old Jimmy Connors beat fellow multi-time Grand Slam champion Martina Navratilova, then thirty-five, under hybrid rules.

"I deeply admire Billie Jean King and what she has achieved for the female tennis," Sabalenka continued. "I'm proud to represent women's tennis and to be part of this contemporary version of the iconic ‘Battle of the Sexes’ match."

Kyrgios, who made it to the 2022 Wimbledon championship match, said he will enjoy the chance to play against Sabalenka, with whom he shares the same agent.

"When the world number one challenges you, you step up to the plate. I've got massive respect for Aryna; she's a force and a genuine winner," he remarked. "However I've never backed down from a challenge, and I'm not just here to play, I'm here to thrill the crowd. This is what I live for."

Fun Spectacle or Harmful to Female Athletics? – Viewpoint

Followers of the sport have been split into two camps since talk of this exhibition started at the US Open in September.

Certain individuals believe it is a fun diversion which will successfully attract the attention of a newer, younger audience in the age of digital media.

Another group feels it is a ill-advised project – organized by the Evolve management which the players both share – and sets up an opportunity for female athletics to be belittled if Sabalenka is defeated by Kyrgios.

The fact that Kyrgios admitted to assaulting an former partner in 2023, then later had to separate himself from divisive figure Andrew Tate in 2024, is a key factor why that camp believe this exhibition could unnecessarily fuel gender bias and anti-women sentiment.

Sabalenka does not seem to be overly concerned the event will have a detrimental effect on women's sports. Speaking about the possibility at the US Open, she said it was a "interesting concept" and laughed as she vowed to "defeat Nick convincingly".

It is hard, however, to see what she gains from the event – especially if she loses to a man who has not been fit for a long time.

For Kyrgios, he remains in the spotlight despite his continued absence from the tour and firmly in the spotlight which he has consistently shown he enjoys.

At this point, details about the structure of the match are still limited – although serving restrictions and potential adjustments to the court are believed to have been considered.