🔗 Share this article Sabalenka Set to Take On Kyrgios in Contemporary Cross-Gender Clash Exhibition The top-ranked female player and the Australian star will compete at the 17,000-capacity Coca-Cola Arena. World number one Aryna Sabalenka is set to challenge Nick Kyrgios in a ‘Battle of the Sexes’ event in the UAE later this year. Belarus' Sabalenka, twenty-seven, and 30-year-old Australian Kyrgios – ranked 652nd in the world – are scheduled to compete at the Coca-Cola Arena on December 28. Four-time Grand Slam winner Sabalenka is the reigning Wimbledon and US Open champion. Kyrgios, who peaked at world number 13 in 2016, has only played five matches this year since returning from a significant wrist injury that kept him out for 18 months. He has been absent on the ATP Tour since exiting in the Miami Open second round in March. "I have a lot of respect for Nick and his talent, but rest assured, I'm prepared to bring my best performance," Sabalenka stated. Past Context of ‘Battle of the Sexes’ Three official matches known as the ‘Battle of the Sexes’ have occurred – most notably between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs in 1973. US legend Riggs had beaten Australia's Margaret Court before King exacted revenge four months later. In 1992, a 40-year-old Jimmy Connors beat fellow multi-time Grand Slam champion Martina Navratilova, then 35, under special rules. "I deeply admire Billie Jean King and what she has achieved for the female tennis," 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 championship match, 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 massive respect for Aryna; she's a powerhouse and a genuine winner," he remarked. "But I've never shied away 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 opposing sides since rumblings of this exhibition began at the US Open in September. Certain individuals believe it is a fun diversion which will effectively draw the attention of a newer, younger audience in the age of digital media. Others believe it is a ill-advised project – arranged by the Evolve management which the players both share – and sets up an opportunity for female athletics to be undermined if Sabalenka is beaten by Kyrgios. The fact that Kyrgios pleaded guilty to attacking an former partner in 2023, then later had to separate himself from controversial influencer Andrew Tate in 2024, is a big reason why that camp believe this exhibition could provoke gender bias and misogyny. Sabalenka does not seem to be too worried the event will have a detrimental effect on women's sports. Speaking about the possibility at the US Open, she said it was a "cool idea" and chuckled as she pledged to "defeat Nick convincingly". It is hard, however, to see what she benefits 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 ongoing break from the tour and firmly in the spotlight which he has consistently shown he loves to be in. At this stage, specifics about the structure of the match are still limited – although rules on serves and potential court modifications are believed to have been considered.