🔗 Share this article Aryna Sabalenka Set to Take On Nick Kyrgios in Contemporary ‘Battle of the Sexes’ Match The top-ranked female player and the Australian star will compete at the 17,000-capacity Coca-Cola Arena. Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka is set to challenge Nick Kyrgios in a ‘Battle of the Sexes’ event in the United Arab Emirates later this year. Belarus' Sabalenka, twenty-seven, and thirty-year-old Australian Kyrgios – ranked 652nd in the world – are scheduled to compete at the Coca-Cola Arena on 28 December. Four-time Grand Slam champion Sabalenka is the current Wimbledon and US Open title-holder. Kyrgios, who peaked at world number 13 in 2016, has participated in just five games this year since recovering from a significant wrist injury that sidelined him for a year and a half. He has not played on the ATP Tour since losing in the Miami Open second round in March. "I greatly admire Nick and his talent, but rest assured, I'm ready to bring my A-game," Sabalenka said. Historical Context of ‘Battle of the Sexes’ Three official matches labeled as the ‘Battle of the Sexes’ have occurred – most notably between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs in 1973. American veteran Riggs had beaten Australia's Margaret Court before King got payback four months later. In 1992, a 40-year-old Jimmy Connors beat fellow multiple Grand Slam champion Martina Navratilova, then 35, under special 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 reached the 2022 Wimbledon championship match, said he will relish 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." Harmless Entertainment or Damaging to Female Athletics? – Viewpoint Tennis fans have been split into opposing sides since rumblings 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 eyeballs of a younger demographic in the age of digital media. Others believe it is a ill-advised project – arranged by the Evolve agency which the players both share – and creates an opportunity for women's sport to be undermined if Sabalenka is defeated by Kyrgios. The fact that Kyrgios pleaded guilty to assaulting an former partner in 2023, then later had to distance himself from controversial influencer Andrew Tate in 2024, is a big reason why that camp believe this exhibition could unnecessarily fuel gender bias and misogyny. Sabalenka does not seem to be overly concerned the event will have a detrimental effect on female athletics. Speaking about the idea at the US Open, she said it was a "cool idea" and laughed as she pledged to "defeat Nick convincingly". It is hard, however, to see what she benefits from the event – especially if she is defeated to a man who has not been fit for a considerable period. For Kyrgios, he remains in the spotlight despite his continued absence from the tour and constantly in the public eye which he has consistently shown he enjoys. At this stage, details about the structure of the match are still scarce – although serving restrictions and potential court modifications are believed to have been discussed.