🔗 Share this article Aryna Sabalenka Ready to Challenge Kyrgios in Modern Cross-Gender Clash Match Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios will meet at the 17,000-capacity Coca-Cola Arena. 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 – ranked 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 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 been absent on the ATP Tour since exiting in the Miami Open second round in March. "I greatly admire Nick and his skill, but rest assured, I'm ready to bring my best performance," Sabalenka commented. Historical Context of Gender Showdowns Three official matches labeled as the ‘Battle of the Sexes’ have occurred – most notably between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs in 1973. US legend Riggs had defeated Australia's Margaret Court before King exacted revenge four months later. In 1992, a forty-year-old Jimmy Connors overcame fellow multiple Grand Slam champion Martina Navratilova, then thirty-five, under special rules. "I deeply admire Billie Jean King and what she has done for the female tennis," Sabalenka added. "It's an honor to represent 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 has the same representative. "When the world number one challenges you, you answer the call. I've got massive respect for Aryna; she's a powerhouse and a true champion," he remarked. "However I've never shied away from a challenge, and I'm not just here to play, I'm here to entertain. This is what I thrive on." Fun Spectacle or Damaging to Female Athletics? – Viewpoint Followers of the sport have been divided into two camps since talk of this exhibition started at the US Open in September. Some think it is a fun diversion which will successfully attract the eyeballs of a younger demographic in the age of social-media content. Another group feels it is a ill-advised project – arranged by the Evolve agency 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 pleaded guilty to assaulting an ex-girlfriend in 2023, then later had to distance himself from divisive figure Andrew Tate in 2024, is a big reason why some critics believe this exhibition could unnecessarily fuel sexism and misogyny. Sabalenka does not seem to be overly concerned 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 laughed as she pledged to "defeat Nick convincingly". It is hard, however, to see what she benefits from the event – especially if she is defeated to a man who has not been fit for a long time. For Kyrgios, he manages to stay relevant despite his continued absence from the tour and firmly in the spotlight which he has consistently shown he enjoys. At this point, details about the structure of the match are still scarce – although serving restrictions and potential court modifications are believed to have been discussed.