Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios are set to meet in a modern take on the ‘Battle of the Sexes’ on Sunday, December 28, in Dubai.
The idea picked up steam after Kyrgios floated it earlier this year, and it didn’t take long for fans to start buzzing about the potential matchup.
With Sabalenka now holding the number one ranking and Kyrgios a former Wimbledon finalist, it’s no surprise there’s plenty of interest around the event.
Now that the date and location are official, both players have started building anticipation for their meeting. Sabalenka had a few words for Kyrgios ahead of their exhibition matchup.
Sabalenka confident heading into exhibition match against Kyrgios
Speaking to the BBC, the four-time Grand Slam winner spoke about how she was approaching the contest and what it meant to be part of a modern version of the historic event.
“I have a lot of respect for Nick [Kyrgios] and his talent, but make no mistake, I’m ready to bring my A-game,” Sabalenka said.
She went on to talk about Billie Jean King’s impact on women’s tennis and what it means to be connected to such an important moment in sporting history.
“I have so much respect for Billie Jean King and what she has done for the women’s game,” said Sabalenka.
“I’m proud to represent women’s tennis and to be part of this modern take on the iconic ‘Battle of the Sexes’ match.”
Kyrgios also shared his thoughts ahead of the match, saying he wasn’t someone who shies away from big moments.
The lead-up hasn’t just been limited to interviews. The two have gone back and forth online, with Sabalenka responding quickly after Kyrgios posted a message on Instagram Stories: “You better be ready.”
The outcome remains up in the air, but it should be an entertaining watch when they meet in Dubai later this year. Mark your calendar for Sunday 28 December – it could be one you don’t want to miss.
A look back at the first ‘Battle of the Sexes’
Back in 1973, Billie Jean King took on retired American pro Bobby Riggs in what became the inaugural ‘Battle of the Sexes’.
Earlier that year, Riggs had comfortably beaten another WTA icon, Margaret Court, 6-2, 6-1, in a match that came to be known as the ‘Mother’s Day Massacre’.
King stepped up to avenge her former rival and accepted Riggs’ challenge. There was $100,000 on the line for that match.
Though King fell behind by an early break of serve, she quickly recovered and took the first set 6-4. She then rode that momentum through to win the next two sets 6-3 and 6-3.
With over 50 million fans watching on TV, King proved that women can compete with men and earned herself $100,000 in the process.
READ MORE: Novak Djokovic explains why Retirement isn’t on his mind despite new generation rising
The impact of that match extended far beyond tennis. It challenged outdated views about women’s place in sport and helped drive greater equality across different codes.
Several other ‘Battle of the Sexes’ matches followed but none matched the global attention of King versus Riggs. Whether Sabalenka against Kyrgios will have a similar impact remains to be seen…
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
