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Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka will face Nick Kyrgios in a cross-gender exhibition event in the United Arab Emirates in December.

Belarus' Sabalenka, twenty-seven, and thirty-year-old Aussie Kyrgios – ranked 652nd in the world – are set to compete at the Coca-Cola Arena on 28 December.

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

Kyrgios, who reached a career-high 13th in 2016, has only played five matches this year since recovering from a serious wrist injury that sidelined him 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 have a lot of respect for Nick and his talent, but make no mistake, I'm prepared 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 occurred – 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 forty-year-old Jimmy Connors overcame fellow multi-time Grand Slam champion Martina Navratilova, then 35, under special rules.

"I deeply admire Billie Jean King and what she has achieved for the female tennis," Sabalenka added. "I'm proud 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 championship match, expressed 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 great admiration for Aryna; she's a force and a genuine winner," 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 split into two camps since rumblings of this exhibition began 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.

Others believe it is a misguided venture – arranged by the Evolve agency which the players both share – and sets up an opportunity for female athletics 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 that camp believe this exhibition could unnecessarily fuel gender bias and anti-women sentiment.

Sabalenka does not seem to be overly concerned the event will have a negative impact on women's sports. Speaking about the possibility at the US Open, she said it was a "cool idea" and chuckled as she pledged to "kick Nick's ass".

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 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, specifics about the format of the match are still scarce – although serving restrictions and potential adjustments to the court are believed to have been considered.