Over 50 years after the iconic 1973 “Battle of the Sexes” between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs captivated a global audience, tennis is set for a new gender face-off. This time, world number one Aryna Sabalenka will take on former Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios in a high-profile exhibition match in Dubai on 28 December 2025 — and it’s already stoking major debate.

Sabalenka vs Kyrgios: What’s at Stake?

Sabalenka, currently dominating women’s tennis with four Grand Slam titles, enters the match as a powerful representative for women’s sports. Her opponent, the controversial Kyrgios, ranks 652nd after injury setbacks but remains widely known for his explosive talent and polarizing persona.

The event, organized by Evolve, aims to modernize the “Battle of the Sexes” concept for a social media-driven era. The match format includes key adjustments to level the playing field:

• Smaller court dimensions on Sabalenka’s side by 9% to account for average gender-based movement speed differences.
• Single-serve rule for both players, intended to neutralize Kyrgios’ dominant 140+ mph serves.
• Best-of-three sets, with a 10-point tie-breaker deciding the final set if needed.

Organizers hope the changes will produce a fair and entertaining match, attracting a packed 17,000-strong audience at Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena and a massive streaming audience.

Divided Reactions: Harmless Fun or Risk to Women’s Tennis?

The announcement has sharply divided tennis fans and industry insiders.

Supporters argue the match could draw a younger, more global audience to the sport — especially through viral content and crossover appeal.

Critics, however, warn that if Sabalenka loses, it could be used to undermine women’s tennis. Catherine Whitaker of the Tennis Podcast called the event “bleak” and “crass,” arguing it “gives a platform” to Kyrgios’ history of misogynistic behavior and risks belittling the WTA Tour.

Even with the controls in place, experts suggest the perception of women’s tennis is on the line. If Sabalenka wins, it may not silence critics, given Kyrgios’ recent injuries and ranking slide. If Kyrgios wins, it risks reinforcing damaging stereotypes.

Why the Players Are Involved

For Sabalenka, the match offers significant financial and media exposure. She told reporters she thinks it’s a “cool idea” and believes she can win.

Kyrgios, while not active in ATP events lately, remains a magnetic figure for media and fans. His participation keeps him in the spotlight, even admitting on one podcast that he “might not even need to try 100%” against Sabalenka.

But in the official event announcement, Kyrgios praised the world no.1, calling her “a powerhouse and a true champion.”

Lessons From the Original Battle of the Sexes

Billie Jean King’s defeat of Riggs in 1973 was a watershed moment for gender equality in sports, opening doors to equal pay and broader visibility for women athletes. But today’s remake is far different: it’s not sanctioned by the ATP or WTA, involves no ranking points, and appears more focused on entertainment — and profit — than activism.

As the match approaches, the tennis world watches closely: could this be a step forward in sparking a new conversation — or a misstep that undercuts progress?