🔗 Share this article Aryna Sabalenka Set to Challenge Nick Kyrgios in Contemporary Cross-Gender Clash Match The top-ranked female player and the Australian star will meet at the 17,000-capacity Dubai arena. World number one Aryna Sabalenka is set to challenge Nick Kyrgios in a ‘Battle of the Sexes’ event in the UAE in December. The Belarusian Sabalenka, 27, and thirty-year-old Australian Kyrgios – currently placed 652nd in the world – are set to play each other at the Dubai venue on December 28. Four-times Grand Slam winner Sabalenka is the reigning 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 kept him out for a year and a half. He has been absent on the ATP Tour since exiting in the Miami Open early stage in March. "I greatly admire Nick and his skill, but make no mistake, I'm prepared to bring my best performance," Sabalenka stated. Past Background of ‘Battle of the Sexes’ Three official matches known as the ‘Battle of the Sexes’ have taken place – 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 have so much respect for Billie Jean King and what she has done for the women's game," Sabalenka added. "It's an honor to stand for women's tennis and to be part of this modern take of the legendary ‘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. "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 genuine winner," he said. "However I've never shied away from a challenge, and I'm not just here to play, I'm here to thrill the crowd. This is what I thrive on." Fun Spectacle or Damaging to Women's Sport? – Analysis Followers of the sport have been divided into opposing sides since rumblings of this exhibition started at the US Open in September. Certain individuals believe it is a fun diversion which will effectively draw the attention of a younger demographic in the age of social-media content. Another group feels it is a ill-advised project – arranged by the Evolve management which the players both share – and creates an opportunity for female athletics 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 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 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 gains from the event – particularly if she loses 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 limited – although rules on serves and potential adjustments to the court are believed to have been considered.