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Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka will take on Nick Kyrgios in a ‘Battle of the Sexes’ event in the UAE in December.

The Belarusian Sabalenka, twenty-seven, and thirty-year-old Aussie Kyrgios – currently placed 652nd in the world – are set to compete at the Dubai venue on December 28.

Four-times 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 returning from a serious 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 early stage in March.

"I have a lot of respect for Nick and his talent, but make no mistake, I'm prepared to bring my best performance," Sabalenka commented.

Past Context of Gender Showdowns

Three official matches known as the ‘Battle of the Sexes’ have taken place – most famously between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs in 1973.

American veteran Riggs had beaten Australia's Margaret Court before King exacted revenge a few months after.

In 1992, a forty-year-old Jimmy Connors overcame fellow multiple Grand Slam champion Martina Navratilova, then 35, under special rules.

"I have so much respect for Billie Jean King and what she has achieved for the female tennis," Sabalenka continued. "It's an honor to stand for 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 final, said he will relish 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 massive respect for Aryna; she's a powerhouse 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 entertain. This is what I live for."

Harmless Entertainment or Harmful to Female Athletics? – Viewpoint

Followers of the sport have been divided into two camps since talk of this exhibition began at the US Open in September.

Some think it is a fun diversion which will successfully attract the eyeballs of a newer, younger audience in the age of digital media.

Others believe it is a misguided venture – arranged by the Evolve management which the players both share – and creates an opportunity for female athletics to be undermined if Sabalenka is beaten by Kyrgios.

The fact that Kyrgios pleaded guilty to assaulting an former partner in 2023, then later had to separate 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 too worried the event will have a detrimental effect on female athletics. Speaking about the possibility at the US Open, she said it was a "interesting concept" and chuckled as she pledged to "defeat Nick convincingly".

It is difficult, however, to see what she benefits from the event – particularly if she loses to a man who has not been in top form 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 loves to be in.

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