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Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka is set to challenge Nick Kyrgios in a cross-gender exhibition match in the UAE in December.

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

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 significant 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 second round in March.

"I greatly admire Nick and his skill, but make no mistake, I'm prepared to bring my A-game," Sabalenka stated.

Past Context of ‘Battle of the Sexes’

Three official matches known as the ‘Battle of the Sexes’ have taken place – most notably between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs in 1973.

US legend Riggs had defeated Australia's Margaret Court before King exacted revenge a few months after.

In 1992, a 40-year-old Jimmy Connors overcame fellow multi-time Grand Slam champion Martina Navratilova, then thirty-five, under special rules.

"I have so much respect for Billie Jean King and what she has done for the female tennis," Sabalenka continued. "I'm proud to stand for 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, said he will enjoy the chance to play against Sabalenka, with whom he shares the same agent.

"Being challenged by the top player, you step up to the plate. I've got great admiration for Aryna; she's a powerhouse and a true champion," he remarked. "However I've never shied away from a challenge, and I'm not just here to play, I'm here to thrill the crowd. This is what I live for."

Harmless Entertainment or Damaging to Female Athletics? – Analysis

Tennis fans have been divided into opposing sides since talk of this exhibition started 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 digital media.

Others believe it is a ill-advised project – arranged by the Evolve agency which the players both share – and sets up an opportunity for women's sport to be undermined if Sabalenka is defeated by Kyrgios.

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

Sabalenka does not seem to be too worried the event will have a detrimental effect 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 firmly in the spotlight which he has repeatedly demonstrated he loves to be in.

At this stage, details about the structure of the match are still limited – although rules on serves and potential court modifications are believed to have been discussed.