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Well, imagine being World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and getting ready to face an ATP player on court. Yes, it’s happening! Sabalenka will take on Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios in a “Battle of the Sexes” exhibition match in Dubai on December 28. And before this showdown even begins, Sabalenka has already warned Kyrgios that she’s coming to win. Recently, BBC Sport shared Sabalenka’s words on X, where she said, “I have so much respect for Nick and his talent, but make no mistake, I’m ready to bring my game. I’m proud to represent women’s tennis and to be part of this modern take on the iconic Battle of the Sexes match.” Sabalenka, the reigning US Open champion and current World No. 1, will face Kyrgios at the Coca-Cola Arena. But the matchup isn’t as one-sided as it looks. Kyrgios, now ranked 652nd, hasn’t played a singles match since his second-round exit at the Miami Open in March. After being out for 18 months in 2023 with a wrist injury, he has played just five matches this year. ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad The Australian, who once reached a career-high ranking of No. 13 and made it to the Wimbledon final in 2022, remains confident. In comparison, Aryna Sabalenka’s record shines brighter; she has won around 21 singles titles on the WTA Tour, while Kyrgios holds 7 ATP singles titles. ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad In September, Kyrgios said he wouldn’t need to try 100 percent to win the match. Responding to her challenge, Kyrgios said, “When the World No. 1 challenges you, you answer the call. I’ve got massive respect for Aryna Sabalenka; 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.” Yet behind that trademark confidence lies a deeper struggle. Still, injuries have heavily limited Kyrgios in 2025. He has played only a few tournaments this year and admitted, “I know that I’m getting to the end of my tennis career now, especially with all these injuries. I can’t do another surgery where you’re out for another six to nine months.” His knee, wrist, and other joints have been in constant trouble, forcing him to skip major tournaments, including parts of the grass-court season. But wait, why is such, event even happening? Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports Aryna Sabalenka tries to repeat history, but with more cameras and controversy There’s more to this match than just tennis. But it is some marketing, history, and entertainment. It is inspired by the famous 1973 battle between Bobby Riggs and Billie Jean King that became the symbol of equality in sports. By 1973, when King, who was 29 years old, had to take on Riggs, who was 55 years old, there was no doubt in his mind that he would still beat any woman on the court, even though he had been out of the game for 14 years. ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad The rest is history. In front of more than 30,000 fans at the Houston Astrodome and close to 90 million people across the world, King defeated Riggs in three sets uninterrupted 6-4, 6-3, 6-3. The match became one of the biggest milestones in women’s sports and a powerful statement for equality. Now, organizers want to bring that idea to a new generation, showing how far the game and the gender conversation have come. But not everyone thinks the idea makes sense today. Some have questioned whether this kind of match is still relevant. Former player Laura Robson said, “I’m interested to hear what the appeal is for Aryna Sabalenka. I’m not sure this is what the game is missing.” Tim Henman agreed, saying, “I love tennis and I love watching the major events – the biggest and the best ones – but I’m not sure I’ll be tuning in for this one.” Aryna Sabalenka, however, sees it differently. “I have so much respect for Billie Jean King and what she has done for the women’s game,” she said. “I’m proud to represent women’s tennis and to be part of this modern take of the iconic Battle of the Sexes match.” And maybe that’s the point sometimes, it’s not about who wins or loses, but about showing the world that some battles are worth fighting again, just to see how far we’ve come.
