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Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka will take on Nick Kyrgios in a cross-gender exhibition match in the United Arab Emirates in December.

The Belarusian Sabalenka, 27, and thirty-year-old Australian Kyrgios – ranked 652nd in the world – are set to play each other at the Dubai venue on December 28.

Four-time Grand Slam winner Sabalenka is the reigning Wimbledon and US Open champion.

Kyrgios, who peaked at 13th in 2016, has only played five matches this year since returning from a significant wrist injury that kept him out for 18 months.

He has been absent on the ATP Tour since exiting 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 best performance," Sabalenka stated.

Historical Background of ‘Battle of the Sexes’

Three official matches labeled as the ‘Battle of the Sexes’ have taken place – most notably 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 40-year-old Jimmy Connors beat fellow multiple 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 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, expressed he will enjoy the chance to play against Sabalenka, with whom he shares the same agent.

"Being challenged by the top player, you step up to the plate. I've got great admiration for Aryna; she's a force and a true champion," he remarked. "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."

Harmless Entertainment or Harmful to Women's Sport? – Viewpoint

Tennis fans have been split into opposing sides since talk of this exhibition started at the US Open in September.

Certain individuals believe it is a bit of harmless entertainment which will effectively draw 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 attacking an former partner in 2023, then later had to separate himself from controversial influencer Andrew Tate in 2024, is a key factor why some critics 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 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 gains from the event – especially if she is defeated to a man who has not been fit for a long time.

For Kyrgios, he remains in the spotlight despite his continued absence from the tour and firmly in the spotlight which he has repeatedly demonstrated he loves to be in.

At this stage, details about the format of the match are still limited – although rules on serves and potential adjustments to the court are believed to have been discussed.