NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and 2022 Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios announced on Tuesday that they will play in a “Battle of the Sexes” tennis match next month.
The two tennis stars will meet in a modified exhibition on December 28 in Dubai in front of 17,000 fans at the Coca-Cola Arena.
The name of the Sabalenka-Kyrgios exhibition was borrowed from the 1973 match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs, which King won in straight sets at the Houston Astrodome.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist
(Left) Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus in action against Polina Kudermetova of Russia in the second round of women’s singles at the US Open at Arthur Ashe Stadium at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, New York, on August 27, 2025. (Right) Nick Kyrgios of Australia plays in his first match against Vuk James Duck of Australia and Aleksandar of Australia. men’s doubles at the 2025 Australian Open at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia on January 16, 2025. (Mike Frey/Imagn Images;Mike Frey/Imagn Images)
The changes are that Kyrgios will only get one serve and that he would be hitting to a smaller side of the court.
Since the end of the 2022 tennis season, Kyrgios has played in just five events, mainly due to injuries – one in 2023 and four in 2025. Since then, he has made a name for himself in the broadcast booth.
Nick Kyrgios returns the ball to Grigor Dimitrov during a match on Day 3 of the World Tennis League at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on December 21, 2022. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili, File)
TENNIS STAR ARYNA SABALENKA ALMOST HITS BALLBOY WITH RACQUET THROW IN Frustrating LOSS
“I can’t wait to get back on court,” Kyrgios said in an Instagram story. “Honestly, I feel great. I never thought I’d be back in this position, being able to travel the world, see my fans and play some great tennis.”
Due to his lack of play, Kyrgios, who was once ranked as high as No. 13, is currently ranked at No. 652.
Both players will also take part in an exhibition in New York on December 8, but not against each other: Sabalenka will play Naomi Osaka and Kyrgios will face Tommy Paul.
Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus serves a shot against Amanda Anisimova of the United States during the women’s finals of the US Open tennis championships on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
Sabalenka is a four-time Grand Slam champion, including each of the last two US Opens. She also reached the finals of both this year’s Australian and French Opens.
