World number one Aryana Sabalenka will face former Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios in the men’s vs women’s event in the UAE later this year.
Published on November 4, 2025
Women’s world number one Aryana Sabalenka will take on Australian maverick Nick Kyrgios in a “Battle of the Sexes” exhibition match in Dubai on December 28, organizers announced on Tuesday.
The 27-year-old Sabalenka will face Kyrgios in a modern rendition of tennis icon Billie Jean King’s 1973 title alongside fellow American Bobby Riggs, which marked a seminal moment for both tennis and the women’s movement.
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Played at Houston’s Astrodome, the game was watched by nearly 90 million people who saw King win in straight sets, sparking the fight for equality in sports.
Aged 55 at the time, Riggs had beaten Australia’s Margaret Court four months earlier before the 29-year-old King retaliated.
In 1992, eight-time Grand Slam champion Jimmy Connors, then 40, defeated 18-time major winner Martina Navratilova, 35, under revised rules.
“I have great respect for Billie Jean King and what she has done for the women’s game,” Sablenka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, said in a statement.
“I am proud to represent women’s tennis and to be a part of this modern sport of the battle of the sexes.”
Sabalenka and Kyrgios have teased the match on several occasions over the past few months, with the tournament initially slated to be held in Hong Kong.
World number 652 Kyrgios, who has played just five matches this year after being sidelined for 18 months with a serious wrist injury, said in September that he could easily beat Sabalenka.
Asked about the Australian’s comments during his run for the US Open title, the Belarusian said she was eager to prove Kyrgios wrong.
“I have a lot of respect for Nick and his talent, but make no mistake, I’m ready to bring my A game,” Sabalenka said.
Kyrgios reached a career-high singles ranking of No. 13 in 2016 and reached the Wimbledon final in 2022.
The 30-year-old is a big draw on the court at Grand Slams with his natural talent and unassuming personality, which has led him to controversy in the past.
The match will be held at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai.
