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Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka will take on Nick Kyrgios in a cross-gender exhibition event in the United Arab Emirates later this year.

Belarus' Sabalenka, twenty-seven, and 30-year-old Aussie Kyrgios – ranked 652nd in the world – are set to play each other at the Coca-Cola Arena on 28 December.

Four-times Grand Slam winner Sabalenka is the current Wimbledon and US Open title-holder.

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 18 months.

He has been absent on the ATP Tour since losing 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 A-game," Sabalenka commented.

Historical Context of ‘Battle of the Sexes’

Three official matches known 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 forty-year-old Jimmy Connors overcame 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 female tennis," Sabalenka continued. "I'm proud to represent women's tennis and to be part of this modern take of the iconic ‘Battle of the Sexes’ match."

Kyrgios, who reached the 2022 Wimbledon championship match, expressed he will enjoy the chance to play against Sabalenka, with whom he has the same representative.

"Being challenged by the top player, you answer the call. I've got great admiration for Aryna; she's a force and a true champion," 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 live for."

Fun Spectacle or Harmful to Women's Sport? – Analysis

Followers of the sport have been split into two camps 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 – organized by the Evolve management which the players both share – and sets up an opportunity for female athletics to be undermined if Sabalenka is defeated by Kyrgios.

The fact that Kyrgios pleaded guilty to attacking an ex-girlfriend in 2023, then later had to distance himself from controversial influencer Andrew Tate in 2024, is a key factor why some critics believe this exhibition could unnecessarily fuel sexism and anti-women sentiment.

Sabalenka does not seem to be too worried the event will have a negative impact on women's sports. 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 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 long time.

For Kyrgios, he manages to stay relevant despite his continued absence from the tour and constantly in the public eye which he has repeatedly demonstrated he enjoys.

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