🔗 Share this article Aryna Sabalenka Ready to Take On Nick Kyrgios in Modern ‘Battle of the Sexes’ Match Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios will compete at the 17,000-capacity Dubai arena. World number one Aryna Sabalenka is set to challenge Nick Kyrgios in a ‘Battle of the Sexes’ match in the UAE later this year. The Belarusian Sabalenka, twenty-seven, and thirty-year-old Australian Kyrgios – currently placed 652nd in the world – are set to play each other at the Dubai venue on 28 December. Four-times Grand Slam champion Sabalenka is the reigning Wimbledon and US Open champion. Kyrgios, who reached a career-high world number 13 in 2016, has only played five matches this year since returning from a serious wrist injury that sidelined him for 18 months. He has been absent on the ATP Tour since losing in the Miami Open second round in March. "I have a lot of respect for Nick and his skill, but rest assured, I'm prepared to bring my A-game," Sabalenka commented. Historical Context of Gender Showdowns A trio of recognized contests labeled as the ‘Battle of the Sexes’ have taken place – 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 40-year-old Jimmy Connors overcame fellow multiple Grand Slam champion Martina Navratilova, then thirty-five, under hybrid rules. "I deeply admire Billie Jean King and what she has achieved for the women's game," Sabalenka added. "It's an honor to stand for 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 final, said he will enjoy the chance to play against Sabalenka, with whom he has the same representative. "Being challenged by the top player, you step up to the plate. I've got great admiration for Aryna; she's a force and a true champion," he said. "However I've never backed down from a challenge, and I'm not just here to play, I'm here to entertain. This is what I live for." Fun Spectacle or Harmful to Female Athletics? – Analysis Followers of the sport have been divided into two camps since talk of this exhibition began at the US Open in September. Some think it is a bit of harmless entertainment which will effectively draw the eyeballs of a younger demographic in the age of social-media content. 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 women's sport to be belittled if Sabalenka is defeated by Kyrgios. The fact that Kyrgios pleaded guilty to assaulting an former partner in 2023, then later had to separate himself from divisive figure Andrew Tate in 2024, is a big reason why some critics believe this exhibition could provoke sexism and misogyny. Sabalenka does not seem to be too worried the event will have a negative impact on female athletics. Speaking about the possibility at the US Open, she said it was a "cool idea" and laughed as she pledged to "kick Nick's ass". It is difficult, however, to see what she gains from the event – especially if she is defeated to a man who has not been fit for a considerable period. For Kyrgios, he manages to stay relevant despite his continued absence from the tour and constantly in the public eye which he has repeatedly demonstrated he loves to be in. At this point, specifics about the structure of the match are still scarce – although serving restrictions and potential adjustments to the court are believed to have been considered.