Tennis fans are gearing up for one of the most talked-about exhibition matches of the year as world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka takes on Nick Kyrgios in a modernday “Battle of the Sexes” in Dubai.
Set for December 28, 2025, at the Coca-Cola Arena, this unusual head-to-head has attracted significant attention, and controversy, well before the first serve.
While many see it as light-hearted fun, others view it as a risky spectacle that could spark debate about gender comparisons in sport.
The idea of pitting one of the WTA’s biggest stars against a male opponent goes back to the legendary 1973 match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs, which captivated the world and became a symbol of women’s empowerment.
At the heart of the buildup is the verbal sparring between the two competitors. Kyrgios first ignited interest during the US Open with bold claims that he could beat Sabalenka without going “100%,” arguing that she couldn’t handle his serve.
Sabalenka didn’t back down, firing back that she was ready to “kick his a**,” and the exhibition was soon formalized by Evolve, the agency representing both players. The banter and media attention have only intensified, with fans and analysts weighing in on social media, speculating who might come out on top.
Modified rules for a unique matchup
To make the contest more balanced, organizers have introduced several unique adjustments to the standard tennis format. Both players are limited to just one serve per point, increasing the pressure on every service game and making double faults more consequential.
Additionally, Sabalenka‘s side of the court will be 9% smaller than usual, an adjustment intended to offset differences in speed between male and female players. The match will be played as a best-of-three sets, with a 10-point tie-break used if each player wins a set, ensuring a definitive result without overly prolonging the exhibition.
Despite Kyrgios entering as a favorite on paper, Sabalenka‘s four Grand Slam titles and aggressive style make her a formidable opponent.
The Australian has had a long injury layoff and has not played a professional match since March, but his flair for unpredictability and his powerful serve mean the match is far from a foregone conclusion.
Fans around the world can catch the action live, with coverage available in multiple regions. In the UK, the match will be broadcast on BBC One with live streaming via BBC iPlayer, while the Tennis Channel app provides coverage for viewers in the United States.
Other countries are expected to offer local streaming options, ensuring fans worldwide can tune in.
Whether you watch for the entertainment, the skill, or the ongoing debate about gender in sport, this Battle of the Sexes promises to be one of the most talked-about tennis exhibitions of 2025.
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