The tennis world is buzzing with anticipation as Aryna Sabalenka, the reigning women's world number one and four-time Grand Slam champion, prepares to face off against Australia's Nick Kyrgios in a modern-day 'Battle of the Sexes' exhibition match at Dubai's Coca-Cola Arena. Scheduled for Sunday, December 28, 2025, this much-publicized event is set to deliver a spectacle unlike any other, blending star power, controversy, and a nod to one of the sport's most iconic moments.
The match, which will begin at 3:45pm GMT (7:45 p.m. local time in Dubai), is being broadcast live on BBC One and streamed on BBC iPlayer in the UK, with Sony Sports 5 and Sony LIV carrying the action in India. With a seating capacity of around 17,000, the Coca-Cola Arena is primed for a packed house and a global audience eager to witness this unique clash.
But what exactly is at stake in this exhibition? Unlike the original 1973 'Battle of the Sexes,' when Billie Jean King defeated Bobby Riggs in a game-changing showdown for women's rights and equal prize money, the 2025 version is positioned firmly as entertainment. Organizers, including the Evolve agency that represents both Sabalenka and Kyrgios, have openly marketed the event as a showcase designed to spark debate, draw viewers, and, of course, generate revenue.
To level the playing field, the match will be played best of three sets, with a match tiebreak to 10 points if required. Both players are restricted to just one serve per point, and Sabalenka's side of the court will be nine percent smaller than Kyrgios's—a nod to the average movement-speed differences between men and women. This rule tweak, organizers claim, is meant to balance the contest and neutralize Kyrgios's well-known serving power.
Sabalenka enters the match at the peak of her powers. Fresh off her fourth Grand Slam victory at the US Open in September, she has dominated the WTA Tour and solidified her status as the best player in the world. "I have so much respect for Billie Jean King and what she has done for the women's game. 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," Sabalenka said in a press release confirming the event.
Kyrgios, on the other hand, has endured a turbulent few seasons. Once ranked as high as 13 in the world, the Australian has played only five official matches in 2025 due to persistent injuries, including a knee problem that kept him sidelined from Wimbledon and the US Open. As a result, his ranking has plummeted to 671. Despite these setbacks, Kyrgios remains one of the sport's most charismatic and unpredictable figures. "When the World No.1 challenges you, you answer the call. I've got massive respect for Aryna; she's a powerhouse and a true champion. 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," Kyrgios declared in the event's official press release.
The build-up to the match has been anything but quiet. Controversy has swirled around the event, with critics arguing that it risks diminishing the achievements of women's tennis and lacks the societal significance of the original 1973 encounter. Billie Jean King herself, now 82, weighed in on the debate, telling the BBC, "It's not the same thing. Ours was about social change... This one is not. Mine was really political. It was rough, culturally, what was coming in with it. I knew I had to beat him for societal change. I had a lot of reasons to win."
King's victory over Riggs was a watershed moment for both tennis and the broader women's rights movement. With 30,000 spectators in Houston and an estimated 90 million watching worldwide, her straight-sets win helped propel the fight for equal prize money and recognition for female athletes. Today, thanks in large part to King's efforts, women receive equal prize money at all four Grand Slam tournaments.
In contrast, the 2025 match is seen by many as a media-driven event with little at stake beyond personal pride and entertainment value. "The only reason they are putting this on is because their management company has gone, 'we're going to make a bit of money here.' But what is in this for women's tennis?" asked six-time Grand Slam doubles champion Rennae Stubbs on her tennis podcast. Still, the marketing machine has spun the controversy into further publicity, with Kyrgios himself posting on social media, "All the negative comments towards the battle of the sexes are doing nothing but giving it more attention. Aryna will go down as one of the greatest players to play this game. I will have entertained crowds around the world."
The players have not shied away from stoking the competitive fire. In September, Kyrgios boasted, "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." Sabalenka, never one to back down, responded, "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." She later added, "Sit back and enjoy the show... No one cares what you have to say."
The event has also drawn commentary from other tennis luminaries. Former world No.1 Garbine Muguruza remarked, "A guy ranked No. 1000, or who doesn’t even have a ranking, can be far superior to a top-10 player on the WTA Tour. When I was at my best, as world No.1, a junior could beat me." Such statements have only fueled the ongoing debate about the merits and meaning of the match.
Regardless of the controversy, fans are guaranteed a high-octane contest. The indoor setting ensures that play will not be affected by weather, and the prime-time slot in Dubai is designed for maximum global exposure. With commentary teams on hand and live blogs running, viewers around the world will be able to follow every twist and turn as Sabalenka and Kyrgios battle it out.
As the tennis world tunes in, one thing is certain: this 'Battle of the Sexes' may not carry the political weight of its predecessor, but it promises to deliver drama, entertainment, and a fresh twist on a classic rivalry. Whether it sparks meaningful conversation or simply entertains, all eyes will be on Dubai as two of the sport's biggest personalities step onto the court.
