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World number one Aryna Sabalenka and 2022 Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios announced Tuesday that they will play in a “Battle of the Sexes” tennis match next month.
two tennis The 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 taken from the 1973 match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs, which King won in straight sets at the Houston Astrodome.
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(L) Arina Sabalenka of Belarus battles Polina Kudermetova of Russia in the second round of the 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 during his match against James Duckworth of Australia and Aleksandar Vukic of Australia in the first round of the 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 receive one serve and that he will hit the short end of the court.
Since the end of the 2022 tennis season, Kyrgios has played just five tournaments, mainly due to injury – 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 the third day match of the World Tennis League at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, December 21, 2022. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili, File)
TENNIS STAR ARINA SABALENKA NEARLY HIT BALLBOY WITH A RAQUET THROWS WITH A DISAPPOINTING DEFEAT
“I can’t wait to get back on the court,” Kyrgios said in an Instagram story. “Honestly, I feel amazing. I never thought I’d be back in this position, able to travel the world, see fans and play amazing tennis.”
Due to his lack of play, Kyrgios, who was once ranked 13th in the rankings, is currently ranked 652nd.
Both players will also take part in an exhibition match 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 hits back against Amanda Anisimova of the United States during the women's final of the US Open on Saturday, September 6, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
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Sabalenka is a four-time Grand Slam champion, including each of the last two. US Opening. She also reached the finals of the Australian and French Opens this year.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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