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The rare man-versus-woman match between women’s World No. 1 Sabalenka and 30-year-old semi-retired Australian Kyrgios echoes the legendary 1973 encounter when Billie Jean King defeated Bobby Riggs in a key moment as the push for women’s rights gained ground. Watch Australia vs India T20I Series LIVE and ad-break free during play only on FOX CRICKET, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. Sabalenka, who is competing at the WTA Finals this week in Riyadh, commented: “I have so much respect for Billie Jean King and what she has done for the women’s game. “I’m proud to represent women’s tennis and to be part of this modern take of the iconic Battle of the Sexes match.” The Belarusian said she had a lot of respect for Kyrgios. “But make no mistake, I’m ready to bring my A-game,” the four-time grand slam winner warned the volatile Australian showman who is currently 652nd in the ATP rankings having not played since March. “When the World No. 1 challenges you, you answer the call,” Kyrgios said. “I’ve got massive respect for Aryna; she’s a powerhouse and a true champion. “But 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. Dubai, get ready for a show,” added the 2022 Wimbledon finalist. The Battle of the Sexes match is being organised by Evolve, the management company that represents both Kyrgios and Sabalenka. The rules for the match-up were confirmed on Wednesday (AEDT) — it will be a best-of-three sets match, with a 10-point championship tie-break played at 1-1. The court on Sabalenka’s side of the net will be shrunk by nine per cent in both width and length. Both players will only get one serve, so Kyrgios will have less margin for error on his powerful serve. The rules were met with widespread scepticism from the tennis world, with many former players doubtful the showdown will amount to much more than a hit-and-giggle. “They are saying this has a significant place in history … yeah, the one 50 years ago was important, when it was women trying to fight for equality and women’s rights in the US. That’s when it was important,” Aussie tennis great Rennae Stubbs said on her podcast. “No one gives a f*** what is happening with Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios. “The only reason they are putting this on is because their management company has gone, ‘we’re going to make a bit of money here.’ But what is in this for women’s tennis? “Nick Kyrgios, unless he is really hurt and can’t run at all, he is going to win this match easily. It is just a fact. “Male tennis players, especially someone as good as Nick Kyrgios, even if is he playing at 50 per cent, he is going to win that match. “It just doesn’t make sense to me. Is Sabalenka going to be serious? Is it going to be like a joke?” Australian doubles legend Paul McNamee wrote on X: “Well… changing the dimensions of the court to being a smaller target for the guy, and not letting him have a first serve, says everything you need to know about this tbh.” The Athletic’s James Hansen added: “The Battle of the Sexes has a significant place in tennis history. “In Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios’ version, it’s unclear what is at stake, beyond the commoditisation of the name — and an invitation to criticise women’s tennis after either result.” Kyrgios threw down the gauntlet to Sabalenka during the US Open in September, saying in an interview he would easily dispatch the 27-year-old. Sabalenka responded by saying she was ready to “kick ass” — setting up an intriguing end to the 2025 tennis season. Kyrgios on track for ‘miracle’ Aus Open return Exhibition match or not, seeing Kyrgios on a tennis court has been an increasingly rare sight in recent times. The 30-year-old has struggled to stay on court since his run to the 2022 Wimbledon final — he has been plagued by knee and back issues and a troublesome wrist injury that required surgery. Kyrgios lost his first round match at the Australian Open in straight sets and has not played another grand slam match this year — his only victory in 2025 was a three-set win over the USA’s Mackenzie McDonald in the first round of the Miami Open. His most recent match was a doubles loss at the Citi Open in Washington D.C. playing alongside Gael Monfils. But now he has told AAP his knee is feeling better and he is confident of being fit to play singles at the Australian Open in January. “Like around that Washington period [in late July], I really didn’t have hope to be able to play AO or just ever get back to that point of where I felt comfortable and competing and really letting my body go. “But something in the last month, I don’t know what it is. Something really has changed with my knee. “Like it’s not swelling. It’s not feeling bad after a session.” Kyrgios will play a handful of exhibition matches against Ben Shelton, Tommy Paul and Sabalenka before the end of the year. “Then if I get through all of that, I’m ready to go,” he said. “I don’t know whether to call it a miracle or anything, but my knee feels like it’s gotten younger by a couple of years. “I thought my tennis career was literally coming to doubles, whatever, but I thought that that chapter was closing, where now I’m just optimistic again.” Kyrgios would need a wildcard from Tennis Australia to play in the main draw at Melbourne Park, but there’s little doubt he would be granted one.
