Aryna Sabalenka will play Nick Kyrgios in a "Battle of the Sexes" exhibition at Dubai's Coca-Cola Arena on Dec. 28. Kyrgios has said he will be limited to one serve and will hit toward a smaller side of the court, and he has predicted an easy victory. Both players also appear in separate exhibition matches in New York on Dec. 8 — Sabalenka vs Naomi Osaka and Kyrgios vs Tommy Paul. The event references the famous 1973 King-Riggs match and will be staged indoors before a 17,000-seat crowd.
Sabalenka vs. Kyrgios — 'Battle of the Sexes' Exhibition Set for Dubai on Dec. 28
Aryna Sabalenka will play Nick Kyrgios in a "Battle of the Sexes" exhibition at Dubai's Coca-Cola Arena on Dec. 28. Kyrgios has said he will be limited to one serve and will hit toward a smaller side of the court, and he has predicted an easy victory. Both players also appear in separate exhibition matches in New York on Dec. 8 — Sabalenka vs Naomi Osaka and Kyrgios vs Tommy Paul. The event references the famous 1973 King-Riggs match and will be staged indoors before a 17,000-seat crowd.
18:21, 04.11.2025Culture
Sabalenka to face Kyrgios in Dubai "Battle of the Sexes" exhibition
Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka will take on former Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios in a "Battle of the Sexes" exhibition match at Dubai's Coca-Cola Arena on Dec. 28. The indoor event will be played in front of the arena's 17,000 seats, with both players confirming logistical details on their social media channels after Sabalenka said talks began during the U.S. Open.
Kyrgios has said he will be limited to a single serve and will hit toward a smaller side of the court for the match — adjustments he has cited to level the playing field. The Australian, who has played sparingly in recent seasons because of injuries, has nonetheless predicted he will win comfortably.
"I cannot wait to get back out on court," Kyrgios wrote in an Instagram story. "Honestly I’m feeling amazing. I never thought I would be back into this position, being able to travel the world, see my fans and play some amazing tennis."
Both players are also scheduled to appear in a separate exhibition in New York on Dec. 8, but not against each other: Sabalenka will play Naomi Osaka, and Kyrgios is slated to face Tommy Paul.
The event borrows the famous name from the 1973 encounter between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs — a match King won in straight sets at the Houston Astrodome. Sabalenka arrives in Dubai as a four-time Grand Slam champion and the current world No. 1, while Kyrgios is best known on the Grand Slam stage for reaching the 2022 Wimbledon final, where he lost to Novak Djokovic.
Details:
- Date: Dec. 28
- Venue: Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai (capacity: 17,000)
- Special rules: Kyrgios will have one serve and will aim to a smaller side of the court
- Other exhibitions: Dec. 8 in New York — Sabalenka vs Naomi Osaka; Kyrgios vs Tommy Paul
This exhibition is positioned as both a high-profile showcase and a playful nod to tennis history, promising entertainment for fans and an intriguing on-court matchup between two of the sport's most compelling personalities.