Copyright Men's Journal
Two of the world’s most famous tennis players will meet later this year in a special exhibition match with ties to a historic sports event. Over 50 years after Billie Jean King defeated Bobby Riggs in the Houston Astrodome, two more tennis stars will play their own “Battle of the Sexes.” Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios will take on current World No. 1 and four-time Grand Slam champion Aryna Sabalenka. The exhibition match between the two tennis stars will take place on December 28 at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, ending the 2025 tennis season with an interesting twist. Two of the Top Stars in Tennis Collide “I cannot wait to get back out on court,” Kyrgios said on social media. “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.” The former top-15 player was once considered a rising star in tennis, competing against long-time stars like Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal. Injuries and other off-court issues would derail his rise to the top of the sport, but he remains a popular player and one of the most recognized around the world. Kyrgios has also spent time as an analyst for various television networks, working in the states with ESPN and with the BBC in the United Kingdom. Sabalenka is currently in the prime of her career with four Grand Slam victories. She won this year’s US Open, defeating Amanda Anisimova of the United States in straight sets. It was the second straight US Open title for her, making Sabalenka the first woman to accomplish that feat since Serena Williams did so one decade ago. Both Players Embrace the Challenge In addition to two US Open titles, Sabalenka has also won the Australian Open twice. She will end 2025 as the world’s No. 1 women’s player, and will become just the seventh woman in history to hold that distinction for an entire calendar year. “I have a lot of respect for Nick and his talent, but make no mistake, I’m ready to bring my A-game,” Sabalenka said about the matchup with Kyrgios, according to the BBC. “When the world number one challenges you, you answer the call. I’ve got massive respect for Aryna; she’s a powerhouse and a true champion,” Kyrgios said. “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.” We’ll see which player comes out on top when the two tennis legends meet in Dubai for an interesting year-end exhibition.
