Top-ranked 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 Aussie Kyrgios – ranked 652nd in the world – are scheduled to play each other at the Coca-Cola Arena on 28 December.
Four-time Grand Slam winner 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 recovering from a serious wrist injury that sidelined him 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 make no mistake, I'm ready to bring my best performance," Sabalenka said.
Three official matches 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 exacted revenge a few months after.
In 1992, a forty-year-old Jimmy Connors beat fellow multiple Grand Slam champion Martina Navratilova, then thirty-five, under special rules.
"I have so much respect for Billie Jean King and what she has done for the female tennis," Sabalenka continued. "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, expressed 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 great admiration for Aryna; she's a powerhouse and a true champion," he remarked. "But 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."
Followers of the sport have been divided into two camps since talk of this exhibition started at the US Open in September.
Certain individuals believe it is a bit of harmless entertainment which will successfully attract the attention of a younger demographic in the age of digital media.
Another group feels it is a misguided venture – arranged by the Evolve agency which the players both share – and creates an opportunity for female athletics to be belittled if Sabalenka is beaten by Kyrgios.
The fact that Kyrgios admitted 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 some critics believe this exhibition could provoke sexism and misogyny.
Sabalenka does not seem to be too worried the event will have a detrimental effect on female athletics. Speaking about the possibility at the US Open, she said it was a "interesting concept" and laughed as she pledged to "defeat Nick convincingly".
It is difficult, however, to see what she benefits from the event – particularly 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 ongoing break from the tour and firmly in the spotlight which he has consistently shown he enjoys.
At this stage, details about the structure of the match are still scarce – although rules on serves and potential adjustments to the court are believed to have been discussed.
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