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Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka will take on Nick Kyrgios in a cross-gender exhibition match in the UAE in December.

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

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

Kyrgios, who peaked at 13th 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 not played 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 prepared to bring my A-game," Sabalenka said.

Past Background of ‘Battle of the Sexes’

A trio of recognized contests labeled as the ‘Battle of the Sexes’ have occurred – most famously between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs in 1973.

US legend Riggs had beaten Australia's Margaret Court before King exacted revenge four months later.

In 1992, a forty-year-old Jimmy Connors overcame fellow multi-time Grand Slam champion Martina Navratilova, then 35, under hybrid rules.

"I have so much respect for Billie Jean King and what she has done for the women's game," Sabalenka continued. "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 made it to the 2022 Wimbledon championship match, expressed he will relish the chance to play against Sabalenka, with whom he shares the same agent.

"When the world number one challenges you, you answer the call. I've got massive respect for Aryna; she's a force and a genuine winner," he remarked. "However 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 thrive on."

Harmless Entertainment or Harmful to Female Athletics? – Analysis

Tennis fans have been split into opposing sides since talk of this exhibition began at the US Open in September.

Some think it is a bit of harmless entertainment which will successfully attract the attention of a newer, younger audience in the age of social-media content.

Others believe it is a ill-advised project – arranged by the Evolve management which the players both share – and creates an opportunity for female athletics to be undermined if Sabalenka is beaten by Kyrgios.

The fact that Kyrgios admitted to assaulting an ex-girlfriend in 2023, then later had to separate himself from divisive figure Andrew Tate in 2024, is a key factor why that camp believe this exhibition could provoke sexism and misogyny.

Sabalenka does not seem to be too worried the event will have a negative impact on female athletics. Speaking about the idea at the US Open, she said it was a "cool idea" and chuckled 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 in top form for a long time.

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

At this stage, details about the format of the match are still scarce – although serving restrictions and potential adjustments to the court are believed to have been discussed.