Aryna Sabalenka To Play Nick Kyrgios in ‘Battle of The Sexes’ Exhibition Match

Top seed Aryna Sabalenka will play former Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios in the “Battle of the Sexes” exhibition match in Dubai on December 28.

Both players shared logistical details on their social media channels on Tuesday, after Sabalenka confirmed talks were ongoing regarding the match at the US Open.

They will play indoors at the 17,000-seat Coca-Cola Arena.

Kyrgios said he will only take one serve this year and hit it towards a smaller side of the court. The Australian player, who has hardly been able to play in recent years due to injuries, predicted that he would win easily.

Both actors will appear in an exhibition in New York on December 8, but they will not be against each other: Sabalenka will play Naomi Osaka, and Kyrgios will face Tommy Paul.

“I can’t wait to get back on the field,” Kyrgios said on his Instagram story. “Honestly, I feel great. I never thought I’d be back in this position, traveling the world, seeing my fans and playing great tennis.”

The name of the Sabalenka-Kyrgios exhibition was borrowed from the 1973 match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs, which King won in straight sets at the Houston Astrodome.

Sabalenka is a four-time Grand Slam champion.

Kyrgios lost the 2022 Wimbledon final to Novak Djokovic.