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

Belarus' Sabalenka, twenty-seven, and thirty-year-old Australian Kyrgios – currently placed 652nd in the world – are set to play each other at the Dubai venue on 28 December.

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

Kyrgios, who peaked at world number 13 in 2016, has only played five matches this year since returning from a serious 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 early stage in March.

"I greatly admire Nick and his talent, but make no mistake, I'm ready to bring my best performance," Sabalenka stated.

Past Background of Gender Showdowns

A trio of recognized contests known as the ‘Battle of the Sexes’ have taken place – most notably between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs in 1973.

US legend 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 thirty-five, under special rules.

"I deeply admire Billie Jean King and what she has achieved for the female tennis," Sabalenka added. "It's an honor to represent women's tennis and to be part of this contemporary version 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 has the same representative.

"Being challenged by the top player, you step up to the plate. I've got massive respect for Aryna; she's a force and a genuine winner," he remarked. "But 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 thrive on."

Fun Spectacle or Damaging to Female Athletics? – Analysis

Followers of the sport have been split into two camps since rumblings of this exhibition started at the US Open in September.

Some think it is a fun diversion which will effectively draw the attention of a younger demographic in the age of digital media.

Another group feels it is a misguided venture – arranged by the Evolve agency which the players both share – and creates an opportunity for female athletics to be undermined if Sabalenka is defeated by Kyrgios.

The fact that Kyrgios pleaded guilty to attacking an former partner in 2023, then later had to distance himself from divisive figure 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 overly concerned the event will have a detrimental effect on women's sports. Speaking about the idea at the US Open, she said it was a "interesting concept" and laughed as she pledged to "kick Nick's ass".

It is hard, however, to see what she benefits from the event – especially if she loses to a man who has not been in top form for a considerable period.

For Kyrgios, he manages to stay relevant despite his ongoing break from the tour and constantly in the public eye which he has consistently shown he enjoys.

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