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World number one Aryna Sabalenka will face Nick Kyrgios in a cross-gender exhibition match in the UAE later this year.

Belarus' Sabalenka, 27, and 30-year-old Aussie Kyrgios – currently placed 652nd in the world – are scheduled to play each other at the Dubai venue on December 28.

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

Kyrgios, who peaked at 13th in 2016, has participated in just five games this year since recovering from a significant 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 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.

Past Background 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.

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

In 1992, a forty-year-old Jimmy Connors beat fellow multi-time 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 continued. "I'm proud to stand for women's tennis and to be part of this modern take of the iconic ‘Battle of the Sexes’ match."

Kyrgios, who made it to 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 massive respect for Aryna; she's a force and a genuine winner," he said. "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 live for."

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

Tennis fans have been split into opposing sides since rumblings 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.

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 belittled 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 provoke gender bias 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 chuckled as she vowed to "kick Nick's ass".

It is difficult, however, to see what she gains from the event – particularly if she is defeated to a man who has not been fit for a considerable period.

For Kyrgios, he remains in the spotlight despite his ongoing break from the tour and firmly in the spotlight which he has repeatedly demonstrated he enjoys.

At this point, 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.