World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka will face Nick Kyrgios in a December “Battle of the Sexes” exhibition in Dubai, reviving one of tennis’s most iconic spectacles more than 50 years after Billie Jean King’s landmark victory over Bobby Riggs.
The showdown is set for December 28 at the Coca-Cola Arena, where organizers say modified rules will help balance the matchup between the men’s and women’s tours.
Sabalenka, who captured her fourth Grand Slam title earlier this year, enters at the peak of her career. At the same time, Kyrgios continues his comeback following injuries that sidelined him for much of 2024 and parts of 2025.
The event recalls King’s 1973 triumph in Houston’s Astrodome, when she defeated Riggs in straight sets before an estimated 90 million viewers worldwide, including roiughly 50 million viewers across the United States.
Sabalenka said she views this modern-day matchup as an incredibly important step for women’s tennis, noting that she is prepared to give her all to come out on top.
“I have a lot of respect for Nick and his talent, but make no mistake, I’m ready to bring my A-game,” she said, per The BBC.
Kyrgios, who last reached a Grand Slam final at Wimbledon in 2022 and has spent large portions of the last few years in the broadcast booth, embraced the challenge, saying that he felt required to accept the invitation for this matchup.
“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 explained, according to the BBC. “But I’ve never backed down from a challenge, and I’m not just here to play; I’m here to entertain. This is what I live for.”
However, Kyrgios added that he is confident about the eventual outcome of this match.
“Sabalenka is awesome, she’s such a character… I think she’s the type of player who genuinely believes she’s going to win,” he added, per Sports Illustrated. “She is not gonna beat me. Do you really think I have to try 100%? I’m gonna try because I’m representing the men’s side. I’d say like 6-2 maybe.”
This match will not be the first time modern tennis has tested the gap between men’s and women’s players.
In 1998, both Serena and Venus Williams faced Germany’s Karsten Braasch, who was then ranked outside the top 200 on the men’s circuit.
Notably, this matchup was singular set in a winner-take-all format and included no fans or prize money.
Braasch took down both sisters comfortably, defeating Serena by a score of 6-1 and later defeating Venus by a score of 6-2, according to SportsKeeda.
Shortly after these matches, Serena explained that she “hit shots that would have been winners on the Women’s Tour,” noting that Braasch “got to them easily,” per SportsKeeda.
The matchups involving both the Williams sisters and Billie Jean King could provide insight into the 2025 edition of the “Battle of the Sexes,” but tennis fans will have to tune in to see the official result at the end of the year.