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World number one Aryna Sabalenka will take on Nick Kyrgios in a cross-gender exhibition match in the United Arab Emirates later this year.

The Belarusian Sabalenka, 27, and thirty-year-old Australian Kyrgios – ranked 652nd in the world – are scheduled to compete at the Dubai venue on December 28.

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

Kyrgios, who reached a career-high world number 13 in 2016, has participated in just five games 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 early stage in March.

"I greatly admire Nick and his skill, but rest assured, I'm prepared to bring my best performance," Sabalenka said.

Past Background 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 defeated Australia's Margaret Court before King got payback four months later.

In 1992, a forty-year-old Jimmy Connors overcame fellow multiple Grand Slam champion Martina Navratilova, then thirty-five, under hybrid 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 represent women's tennis and to be part of this contemporary version of the legendary ‘Battle of the Sexes’ match."

Kyrgios, who made it to the 2022 Wimbledon championship match, said he will relish the chance to play against Sabalenka, with whom he has the same representative.

"Being challenged by the top player, you answer the call. I've got massive respect for Aryna; she's a powerhouse and a genuine winner," he said. "However I've never backed down from a challenge, and I'm not just here to play, I'm here to entertain. This is what I live for."

Fun Spectacle or Damaging to Women's Sport? – Viewpoint

Followers of the sport have been split into two camps since talk of this exhibition began at the US Open in September.

Certain individuals believe it is a fun diversion which will successfully attract the eyeballs of a newer, younger audience in the age of social-media content.

Another group feels 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 belittled if Sabalenka is beaten by Kyrgios.

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

Sabalenka does not seem to be overly concerned the event will have a negative impact on women's sports. Speaking about the possibility at the US Open, she said it was a "cool idea" and chuckled as she pledged to "kick Nick's ass".

It is hard, however, to see what she gains from the event – especially if she is defeated 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 loves to be in.

At this stage, specifics about the format of the match are still limited – although serving restrictions and potential adjustments to the court are believed to have been considered.