Aryna Sabalenka to face Nick Kyrgios in ‘Battle of the Sexes’ exhibition match

Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka will face former Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios in a Battle of the Sexes exhibition match in Dubai on December 28.

Both players posted logistical details on their social media channels on Tuesday after Sabalenka confirmed during the U.S. Open that discussions for the match were ongoing.

They will play indoor games at the 17,000-seat Coca-Cola Stadium.

Kyrgios said he will only get one serve this year and will hit it to the smaller side of the court. The Australian has barely played in recent years due to injuries but predicts he will win comfortably.

Both players will also participate in an exhibition game in New York on December 8, but will not play against each other: Sabalenka will face Naomi Osaka and Kyrgios will face Tommy Paul.

“I can’t wait to get back on the court,” Kyrgios said on Instagram Stories. “Honestly, I feel great. I never thought I would be back in this position, being able to travel the world, meet my fans and play some great tennis.”

The Sabalenka-Kyrgios exhibition match borrows its name from the 1973 match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs, which King won in straight sets at the Houston Planetarium.

Sabalenka is a four-time Grand Slam champion.

Kyrgios lost to Novak Djokovic in the 2022 Wimbledon final.