Join the Miguel Delaney Inside Football Get exclusive insights and behind-the scenes access to the Miguel Delaney: inside newsletter Football NewsletterJoin the Miguel Delaney inside Football NewsletterAryna Sablalenka will play Nick Kyrgios at an exhibition tennis match. ‘Battle of the Sexes’The news has been confirmed. Kyrgios claimed that he could beat Sabalenka, the women’s World No 1 and four-time grand slam champion, suggesting that he would not need to try “100 per cent” Sabalenka responded that she will be determined to win. Sabalenka responded by saying she would be determined to win. “kick his ass” The date and location of the exhibition match have been confirmed. Open image in gallery (Getty Images) The ‘Battle of the Sexes’ On December 28, the Coca-Cola Arena will host a match in Dubai. The original 1973 ‘Battle of the Sexes’, Billie Jean King defeated Bobby Riggs, with King’s victory in Houston going down as one of the most famous matches of all time. Sabalenka is the best player of the last two seasons. She won her fourth Grand Slam title in September by beating Amanda Anisimova. When could they? ‘Battle of the Sexes’ What time and where will it take place A date and location for the Sabalenka v Kyrgios match has now been confirmed, with Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena hosting the match on Sunday December 28. Time is yet to be determined. Initial reports indicated that the event could be held in Hong Kong during January. However, a date near the Australian Open had been suggested as an alternative. Aryna sabalenka also said? Sabalenka answered the question about the ‘Battle of the Sexes’ match, as well as some of Kyrgios’s comments, during the US Open in September. “I think it’s cool idea, you know. I think it’s gonna be spectacular to watch,” She said “It’s going to be fun, especially against someone like Nick. “Like he said in another interview, that I genuinely think that I’m going to win, and I’ll definitely go out there, and I’ll try my best to kick his ass.”Open image in galleryAryna has been a dominant force for the WTA Tour. (Copyright, 2025, The Associated Press). All rights reserved. In a press statement confirming the exhibition, Sabalenka said: “I am so proud of Billie Jean King for what she has achieved for women’s tennis. “I’m proud to represent women’s tennis and to be part of this modern take of the iconic Battle of the Sexes match. “Dubai is my home, and I know this city loves big, entertaining events. I have a lot of respect for Nick and his talent, but make no mistake, I’m ready to bring my A-game.” What did Nick Kyrgios have to say about the match? Kyrgios only played five matches due to an injury this season and pulled out from Wimbledon and US Open. He plans to make a comeback at the Australian Open. “Getting to know her, she’s definitely a character,” Kyrgios said a few months ago. “I’m super excited for that. I think she’s the type of player who genuinely thinks she’s going to win.“She [Sabalenka] is not gonna beat me. Do you really think I have to try 100 per cent? I’m gonna try. Because I’m representing the men’s side. I’d say like 6-2 maybe.“I’m not going to go there and say, ‘Oh, she’s so good, I can’t play this.’ That would make me look so bad. I’d imagine the internet would go crazy — go bananas.“I mean, our serves, women can’t really return those,” Kyrgios also claimed. “And then we can just chip and drop shot.“I think I’m going to be okay. I’m going to go there, and I don’t want her to win. That’s for sure.”Open image in galleryNick Kyrgios, who reached the Wimbledon final in 2023 and the US Open quarterfinals in 2023, has been plagued by injuries. (Getty).In the announcement of the Battle of the Sexes, Kyrgios stated: “When the World No.1 calls you out, you respond.” I have a lot of respect for Aryna. She’s a champion and a real powerhouse. “But I’ve never backed down from a challenge, and I’m not just here to play—I’m here to entertain. This is what I live for. Dubai, get ready for a show, because I’m going to bring the heat at the Coca-Cola Arena”.What happened in the 1973 ‘Battle of the Sexes’? Billie Jean King, the 12-time grand slam champion, reluctantly agreed to take on Bobby Riggs, a self-proclaimed “male chauvinist pig”After Margaret Court’s thrashing in the match that became known as “the ‘Mother’s Day Massacre’. King was 29 and the top women’s player in the world when she faced Riggs, the former No 1 ranked men’s who, at the age of 55, boasted he could beat any women’s player. King beat Riggs with no problems in what is still the most watched tennis match in history. 30,000 spectators were in Houston, and 90 million people around the globe. It created a moment that helped power the gathering force of the women’s rights movement in the United States.open image in galleryThe match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs was dubbed ‘The Battle of the Sexes’ (AP)
2025-11-04 09:51:40
Kyrgios v Sabalenka: Everything we know about ‘Battle of the Sexes’ tennis exhibition
