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World number one Aryna Sabalenka will take on Nick Kyrgios in a ‘Battle of the Sexes’ match in the United Arab Emirates in December.

The Belarusian Sabalenka, twenty-seven, and 30-year-old Australian Kyrgios – ranked 652nd in the world – are set to play each other at the Dubai venue on December 28.

Four-times Grand Slam champion Sabalenka is the current Wimbledon and US Open champion.

Kyrgios, who reached a career-high world number 13 in 2016, has only played five matches this year since returning from a serious wrist injury that kept him out for a year and a half.

He has been absent on the ATP Tour since losing in the Miami Open early stage in March.

"I greatly admire Nick and his talent, but rest assured, I'm ready to bring my A-game," Sabalenka commented.

Past Context of ‘Battle of the Sexes’

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 got payback a few months after.

In 1992, a 40-year-old Jimmy Connors beat fellow multiple Grand Slam champion Martina Navratilova, then thirty-five, under hybrid rules.

"I have so much respect for Billie Jean King and what she has done for the women's game," Sabalenka added. "I'm proud to represent 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 relish 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 great admiration for Aryna; she's a powerhouse and a true champion," he remarked. "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 live for."

Fun Spectacle or Damaging to Female Athletics? – Analysis

Tennis fans have been divided into two camps since talk of this exhibition started at the US Open in September.

Some think it is a bit of harmless entertainment which will effectively draw the eyeballs 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 women's sport 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 big reason why that camp believe this exhibition could unnecessarily fuel sexism and anti-women sentiment.

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 chuckled as she pledged to "kick Nick's ass".

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 constantly in the public eye which he has consistently shown he enjoys.

At this stage, specifics about the format of the match are still limited – although serving restrictions and potential court modifications are believed to have been considered.