On December 28, 2025, the tennis world will witness an intriguing face-off as world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka takes on former Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios in a highly anticipated exhibition match in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. This unique event, dubbed the “Battle of the Sexes,” aims to generate excitement and showcase the talents of both competitors in a lively atmosphere.
The excitement surrounding this exhibition began during the US Open when Sabalenka hinted that plans for the match were in motion. On Tuesday, both athletes confirmed the details on their social media platforms, revealing that the venue for this match will be the Coca-Cola Arena, which boasts a capacity of 17,000 spectators.
In an interesting twist, Kyrgios indicated that he would only use one serve during the match and will direct his shots toward a smaller area of the court. Despite his limited recent playing time due to various injuries, the Australian is optimistic and has declared that he expects to dominate the match.
Prior to their showdown in Dubai, both players will participate in a separate exhibition event in New York on December 8. Sabalenka will face Naomi Osaka, while Kyrgios takes on Tommy Paul. Kyrgios expressed his enthusiasm for returning to competitive play through an Instagram story, stating, “I cannot wait to get back out on court. Honestly, I’m feeling amazing. I never thought I would be back into this position, being able to travel the world, see my fans and play some amazing tennis.”
The title of this exhibition draws inspiration from the legendary 1973 showdown between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs, in which King triumphed in straight sets at the Houston Astrodome. As Sabalenka prepares to showcase her skills—she is a four-time Grand Slam champion—Kyrgios aims to demonstrate that he still possesses the talent that propelled him to the Wimbledon final in 2022, where he finished as the runner-up to Novak Djokovic.
This exhibition promises to be a captivating event, combining elite tennis with a playful rivalry. Fans from around the globe eagerly await the clash of these high-profile players.
