Key Highlights
- Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios will play in a “Battle of the Sexes” match on December 28, 2025.
- The match is organized by the agency Evolve, which represents both players.
- Kyrgios previously made controversial statements about women’s tennis.
- This event marks the fourth “Battle of the Sexes” in tennis history.
Introduction to the Match
The “Battle of the Sexes” is a longstanding tradition in professional tennis, with its origins dating back more than half a century. On December 28, 2025, women’s world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka will face men’s world No. 652 Nick Kyrgios at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai. This event is organized by Evolve, the agency representing both players.
Background and Significance
This match holds significant historical context, marking the fourth “Battle of the Sexes” in tennis history. The first iteration took place between Bobby Riggs and Margaret Court in 1973, won by Riggs. However, the most famous and politically consequential was Billie Jean King’s victory over Bobby Riggs in 1973, which helped to increase the spotlight on women’s tennis.
Players’ Context
Aryna Sabalenka is the current women’s world No. 1. She won the women’s singles title at the U.S. Open and has played 59 matches since, winning 49 of them and lifting three trophies.
Her statement, “I’ll try my best to kick his ass,” reflects her competitive mindset.
Nick Kyrgios, on the other hand, returned from a full wrist reconstruction at this year’s Australian Open as the 2022 Wimbledon finalist. He has played only three competitive matches since. Kyrgios is known for making controversial statements about women in tennis, including claiming that “women can’t return our serves.”
Controversial Statements and Previous Scandals
Kyrgios’ remarks have drawn criticism from the tennis community. In September 2024, he was fined $10,000 for writing “second serve” under a picture of himself and Jannik Sinner’s then-girlfriend, Anna Kalinskaya. He also made a remark during a Rogers Cup match in Montreal, Canada, that Thanasi Kokkinakis had “banged his girlfriend,” which he later apologized for on Facebook.
Contextualizing the Modern Battle of the Sexes
The fourth “Battle of the Sexes” comes at a time when women and men have mostly moved beyond discussions of athletic superiority. Instead, focus has shifted to matters of equal pay and marketing within the sport. The U.S.
Open’s star-spangled mixed doubles event further illustrates this trend by highlighting the best players in both genders competing on the same courts.
While the “Battle of the Sexes” traditionally played a political role, its modern iteration might not carry as much weight due to the changing dynamics within tennis. However, if Sabalenka loses to Kyrgios with his powerful serve, it could spark significant criticism from both fans and critics alike.
