🔗 Share this article Aryna Sabalenka Ready to Challenge Nick Kyrgios in Modern ‘Battle of the Sexes’ Match Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios will meet at the 17,000-capacity Coca-Cola Arena. Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka will take on Nick Kyrgios in a ‘Battle of the Sexes’ event in the UAE later this year. The Belarusian Sabalenka, twenty-seven, and 30-year-old Aussie Kyrgios – ranked 652nd in the world – are set to compete at the Coca-Cola Arena on December 28. Four-time Grand Slam champion Sabalenka is the reigning Wimbledon and US Open title-holder. Kyrgios, who reached a career-high 13th in 2016, has participated in just five games this year since returning from a significant wrist injury that kept him out 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 have a lot of respect for Nick and his skill, but rest assured, I'm ready to bring my A-game," Sabalenka said. Past Context of Gender Showdowns 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 a few months after. In 1992, a forty-year-old Jimmy Connors beat fellow multi-time Grand Slam champion Martina Navratilova, then 35, under hybrid rules. "I deeply admire 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 contemporary version of the legendary ‘Battle of the Sexes’ match." Kyrgios, who made it to the 2022 Wimbledon championship match, said he will relish the chance to play against Sabalenka, with whom he shares the same agent. "Being challenged by the top player, you answer the call. I've got massive respect 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 thrill the crowd. This is what I live for." Fun Spectacle or Harmful to Women's Sport? – Analysis Tennis fans have been split into opposing sides since talk of this exhibition began at the US Open in September. Certain individuals believe it is a fun diversion which will successfully attract the eyeballs of a younger demographic in the age of social-media content. 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 assaulting an former partner in 2023, then later had to separate himself from divisive figure Andrew Tate in 2024, is a key factor why some critics believe this exhibition could provoke sexism and anti-women sentiment. Sabalenka does not seem to be overly concerned the event will have a detrimental effect on women's sports. Speaking about the possibility at the US Open, she said it was a "interesting concept" and chuckled as she vowed to "defeat Nick convincingly". It is difficult, however, to see what she gains from the event – particularly if she loses to a man who has not been in top form for a considerable period. For Kyrgios, he manages to stay relevant despite his ongoing break from the tour and constantly in the public eye which he has consistently shown he enjoys. At this stage, specifics about the format of the match are still scarce – although serving restrictions and potential adjustments to the court are believed to have been considered.