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

Belarus' Sabalenka, twenty-seven, and thirty-year-old Aussie Kyrgios – currently placed 652nd in the world – are scheduled to play each other at the Coca-Cola Arena on December 28.

Four-time Grand Slam champion Sabalenka is the current 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 returning from a significant wrist injury that kept him out for a year and a half.

He has not played on the ATP Tour since exiting in the Miami Open second round in March.

"I have a lot of respect for Nick and his skill, but rest assured, I'm ready to bring my best performance," Sabalenka said.

Past Background of ‘Battle of the Sexes’

A trio of recognized contests labeled as the ‘Battle of the Sexes’ have occurred – most famously 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 multiple Grand Slam champion Martina Navratilova, then 35, under special rules.

"I deeply admire Billie Jean King and what she has done for the women's game," Sabalenka added. "I'm proud to represent women's tennis and to be part of this contemporary version of the iconic ‘Battle of the Sexes’ match."

Kyrgios, who made it to the 2022 Wimbledon final, expressed he will relish 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 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 Women's Sport? – Viewpoint

Tennis fans have been divided into two camps since rumblings of this exhibition began at the US Open in September.

Some think it is a bit of harmless entertainment which will effectively draw the eyeballs of a younger demographic in the age of social-media content.

Others believe it is a ill-advised project – arranged by the Evolve management which the players both share – and sets up an opportunity for female athletics 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 distance himself from controversial influencer Andrew Tate in 2024, is a big reason why some critics believe this exhibition could provoke sexism and anti-women sentiment.

Sabalenka does not seem to be overly concerned the event will have a negative impact 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 hard, however, to see what she benefits from the event – particularly 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 firmly in the spotlight which he has consistently shown he enjoys.

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