🔗 Share this article Aryna Sabalenka Ready to Challenge Kyrgios in Modern Gender Showdown Exhibition The top-ranked female player and the Australian star will compete at the 17,000-capacity Coca-Cola Arena. Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka is set to challenge Nick Kyrgios in a ‘Battle of the Sexes’ match in the United Arab Emirates in December. Belarus' Sabalenka, 27, and 30-year-old Aussie Kyrgios – currently placed 652nd in the world – are set to compete at the Coca-Cola Arena on 28 December. Four-times Grand Slam champion Sabalenka is the current 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 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 make no mistake, I'm prepared to bring my A-game," Sabalenka stated. 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 got payback four months later. In 1992, a 40-year-old Jimmy Connors beat fellow multi-time Grand Slam champion Martina Navratilova, then 35, under hybrid rules. "I have so much respect for 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 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. "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 genuine winner," he remarked. "But 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 thrive on." Harmless Entertainment or Damaging to Female Athletics? – Analysis Followers of the sport have been split into opposing sides since rumblings of this exhibition started at the US Open in September. Some think it is a fun diversion which will effectively draw 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 creates an opportunity for women's sport to be belittled if Sabalenka is defeated by Kyrgios. The fact that Kyrgios admitted 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 some critics believe this exhibition could provoke gender bias and misogyny. Sabalenka does not seem to be too worried 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 hard, however, to see what she gains from the event – especially if she loses to a man who has not been in top form for a long time. For Kyrgios, he manages to stay relevant despite his ongoing break from the tour and constantly in the public eye which he has repeatedly demonstrated he loves to be in. At this point, details about the structure of the match are still limited – although serving restrictions and potential court modifications are believed to have been discussed.