Battle of the Sexes returns with Aryna Sabalenka vs Nick Kyrgios in Dubai

When Aryna Sabalenka steps onto the court in Dubai this December, she won’t just be facing Nick Kyrgios, she’ll be stepping into tennis history.

Billed as the fourth “Battle of the Sexes” in the sport’s storied timeline, this exhibition match will pit the World No. 1 against the currently unranked and controversial Australian, in an event as much about entertainment and spectacle as it is about athletic competition.

Scheduled for December 28 at the Coca-Cola Arena and organized by Evolve, the agency representing both players, the match has stirred up equal parts excitement and unease across the tennis world.

On paper, it’s a mismatch. Sabalenka, fresh off a dominant year that included three titles and a US Open crown, has played nearly 60 matches in 2025.

Kyrgios, on the other hand, has barely seen competitive action since undergoing wrist surgery, managing just five matches this year and last appearing on the ATP Tour in March.

But this isn’t about ranking points. It’s about something more complex.

“When the world No. 1 challenges you, you answer the call,” Kyrgios said in the event’s announcement. “I’ve got massive respect for Aryna; she’s a powerhouse and a true champion. But I’m not just here to play—I’m here to entertain.”

Entertainment, undoubtedly, is part of the allure. With their shared history of bold statements and magnetic court presence, both players have been hyping the event for months.

Kyrgios raised eyebrows in a podcast over the summer, suggesting that “women can’t return our serves” and predicting a 6-2 victory. Sabalenka, never one to shy away from fire, responded with a grin at the US Open: “I’ll try my best to kick his ass.”

But behind the theatrics lies a more serious undertone.

This match invites comparisons to Billie Jean King’s iconic 1973 win over Bobby Riggs, a cultural milestone that helped launch the Women’s Tennis Association and pushed the women’s game into the mainstream spotlight. Sabalenka, too, acknowledges that legacy.

“I have so much respect for Billie Jean King and what she has done for the women’s game,” she said. “I’m proud to represent women’s tennis and to be part of this modern take on the Battle of the Sexes.”

Yet, unlike King’s politically charged triumph, this encounter arrives with baggage of a different kind. Kyrgios, while undeniably talented, has a long and turbulent history both on and off the court.

From past fines for sexist remarks to a 2023 assault charge that was later dismissed, his presence invites scrutiny. His 2024 social media behavior — including a controversial post involving WTA player Anna Kalinskaya — further cemented his polarizing reputation.

This has prompted debate about the event’s implications. Critics argue it risks trivializing women’s sport, especially if Sabalenka loses to a player who hasn’t been fully fit in over a year. Others see it as a bold, if risky, opportunity to challenge outdated narratives.

Sabalenka, for her part, appears unbothered. Her confidence is palpable, and perhaps rightly so. With the spotlight fixed firmly on her, she carries not only her own ambitions but the weight of a sport still grappling with questions of equality and representation.

Whether this match will echo as a watershed moment or fade as a viral curiosity remains to be seen. What is certain, though, is that Sabalenka vs. Kyrgios won’t go unnoticed. In a game where optics matter as much as outcomes, the stage is set for a showdown as layered as it is unpredictable.

And if Sabalenka has her way, there won’t be any ambiguity about who runs the court come December 28.