Aryna Sabalenka Faces Nick Kyrgios In Controversial 'Battle Of The Sexes' Sequel
In an event billed as tennis’s latest 'Battle of the Sexes', Aryna Sabalenka, the No. 1-ranked women’s tennis player in the world, will take on Nick Kyrgios, who’s currently ranked No. 673 on the men’s tour, on Sunday (December 28, 2025) in Dubai. “This is about respect, rivalry and reimagining what equality in sport can look like,” said Stuart Duguid, who, along with tennis great Naomi Osaka, co-founded Evolve, the sports agency putting on the event. “I’ll try my best to kick his ass,” Sabalenka said during a September 2025 press conference. “She’s not going to beat me,” Kyrgios responded. “Do you really think I have to try 100%?” Evolve has promoted the Dubai event as a sequel to the iconic 1973 “Battle of the Sexes,” in which Billie Jean King beat Bobby Riggs.
Tennis players Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, left, and Nick Kyrgios of Australia speak during a press conference ahead of the Battle of the Sexes exhibition match at Atlantis The Royal in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. | Photo: AP/Fatima Shbair
Tennis players Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, left, and Nick Kyrgios of Australia pose with the trophy during a press conference ahead of the Battle of the Sexes exhibition match at Atlantis The Royal in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. | Photo: AP/Fatima Shbair
Tennis player Nick Kyrgios of Australia speaks during a press conference ahead of the Battle of the Sexes exhibition match at Atlantis The Royal in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. | Photo: AP/Fatima Shbair
Tennis player Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus speaks during a press conference ahead of the Battle of the Sexes exhibition match at Atlantis The Royal in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. | Photo: AP/Fatima Shbair
Tennis players Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, left, and Nick Kyrgios of Australia speak during a press conference ahead of the Battle of the Sexes exhibition match at Atlantis The Royal in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. | Photo: AP/Fatima Shbair
Tennis players Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, left, and Nick Kyrgios of Australia face-off with the trophy during a press conference ahead of the Battle of the Sexes exhibition match at Atlantis The Royal in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. | Photo: AP/Fatima Shbair
Tennis players Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, center left, and Nick Kyrgios of Australia, center right, speak during a press conference ahead of the Battle of the Sexes exhibition match at Atlantis The Royal in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. | Photo: AP/Fatima Shbair
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