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World number one Aryna Sabalenka will face Nick Kyrgios in a cross-gender exhibition match in the UAE later this year.

Belarus' Sabalenka, 27, and thirty-year-old Australian Kyrgios – ranked 652nd in the world – are scheduled to play each other at the Dubai venue on December 28.

Four-times Grand Slam champion Sabalenka is the current Wimbledon and US Open title-holder.

Kyrgios, who peaked at 13th in 2016, has only played five matches this year since recovering from a significant wrist injury that sidelined him for 18 months.

He has been absent on the ATP Tour since losing in the Miami Open second round in March.

"I have a lot of respect for Nick and his skill, but rest assured, I'm prepared to bring my A-game," Sabalenka said.

Historical Context of Gender Showdowns

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 beaten Australia's Margaret Court before King got payback a few months after.

In 1992, a forty-year-old Jimmy Connors beat fellow multiple Grand Slam champion Martina Navratilova, then 35, under special rules.

"I have so much respect for Billie Jean King and what she has achieved for the women's game," Sabalenka added. "I'm proud 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 great admiration for Aryna; she's a force and a genuine winner," he said. "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 thrive on."

Fun Spectacle or Harmful to Female Athletics? – Viewpoint

Tennis fans have been split into two camps since talk of this exhibition started at the US Open in September.

Some think it is a fun diversion which will successfully attract the eyeballs of a younger demographic in the age of social-media content.

Others believe it is a misguided venture – arranged by the Evolve management which the players both share – and creates an opportunity for women's sport to be belittled if Sabalenka is beaten by Kyrgios.

The fact that Kyrgios pleaded guilty to attacking an ex-girlfriend in 2023, then later had to separate himself from divisive figure Andrew Tate in 2024, is a big reason why some critics believe this exhibition could provoke gender bias and anti-women sentiment.

Sabalenka does not seem to be overly concerned the event will have a detrimental effect on female athletics. Speaking about the idea at the US Open, she said it was a "interesting concept" and chuckled as she pledged to "defeat Nick convincingly".

It is difficult, however, to see what she benefits from the event – especially if she loses to a man who has not been fit for a long time.

For Kyrgios, he manages to stay relevant despite his continued absence from the tour and constantly in the public eye which he has consistently shown he enjoys.

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