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Later this year, Aryna Sabalenka will take on Nick Kyrgios in an exhibition match in the United Arab Emirates.

On December 28th, the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai will host Belarus’ Sabalenka, 27, and 30-year-old Australian Kyrgios, who are ranked 652nd in the world.

Sabalenka, the reigning US Open and Wimbledon champion, is a four-time Grand Slam champion.

Since returning from a serious wrist injury that required him to play for 18 months, Kyrgios, who reached a career-high 13th in 2016, has only played five games this year.

Since missing the Miami Open second round in March, he hasn’t played on the ATP Tour.

Three official matches, the most famous being Bobby Riggs and Billie Jean King, have been dubbed the “Battle of the Sexes.”

Before King exacted revenge four months later, Riggs, an American veteran, beat Margaret Court in Australia.

Under hybrid rules, a 40-year-old Jimmy Connors defeated 35-year-old Martina Navratilova, a multiple Grand Slam champion, in 1992.

Billie Jean King deserves praise for her contributions to the women’s game, Sabalenka continued.

“I’m proud to be a part of this contemporary adaptation of the renowned “Battle of the Sexes” match and represent women’s tennis,” said I.

Kyrgios, who won the 2022 Wimbledon final, said he’ll be happy to face Sabalenka, who he shares an agent with.

You respond when the world number one challenges you, “as the saying goes. Aryna is a powerhouse and a true champion, he said, and I have a lot of respect for her.

Since the US Open in September rumor broke, tennis fans have divided into two camps.

In the era of social media content, some believe it to be harmless entertainment that will appeal to a younger, younger audience.

Others think it is a misguided initiative that was carried out by the Evolve agency, which the players both support, and presents an opportunity for women’s sport to belittled if Sabalenka is defeated by Kyrgios.

A significant part of the population thinks that the exhibition could unnecessarily foster sexism and misogyny because Kyrgios admitted to assaulting an ex-girlfriend in 2023 and later had to distance himself from controversial influencer Andrew Tate in 2024.

Sabalenka appears to be cautious about the impact the competition will have on women’s sports. She described the idea at the US Open as “cool idea” and laughed as she pledged to “kick Nick’s ass.”

However, it’s difficult to tell what she gains from the occasion, especially if she loses to a man who hasn’t been well for a while.

Kyrgios consistently demonstrates that he loves being in the spotlight, staying relevant despite his ongoing absence from the tour.

One of Victoria Mboko’s ascent’s defining characteristics is the ability to compartmentalise.

After winning her second WTA Tour title of the year, the 19-year-old Canadian rose from the bottom 300 to the top 20, underlining why she is regarded as one of the best female prospects.

She overturned a 4-1 third-set deficit against Alexandra Eala and won three of her five matches to win the Hong Kong Open.

“I’m a person who always has a vision.” Mboko told BBC Sport, “I believe what has already passed has.”

When Mboko stunned the tour by winning the Montreal title in August, it was a similar tale of reset and rise.

She won one of the most significant titles outside of the four majors against four Grand Slam winners, Sofia Kenin, Coco Gauff, Elena Rybakina, and Naomi Osaka, at the age of 18.

In the semi-finals, she faced 2022 Wimbledon champion Rybakina three times from a set down and fought back three times.

It was obvious that Mboko had already decided to concentrate on the future after being mobbed by young fans at Flushing Meadows, according to a statement made by the broadcaster at the US Open.

That hasn’t always been the case.

A 6-0, 6-0 defeat to her older sister Gracia at a junior tournament was a long-lasting wound that her siblings still use to rib her.

Mboko’s life depends heavily on his family. She gave her father Cyprien a warm embrace as he lifted the trophy for the cameras as she won her second WTA title.

In 1999, Cyprien and his wife Godee Kitadi moved to North America after leaving their homes in the politically unstable Democratic Republic of Congo.

The couple’s four children were born in Canada, but they initially resided in the United States.

After watching television shows starring stars from the 1990s like Andre Agassi, Mboko’s father was obsessed. Despite her parents’ lack of tennis skills, she never played tennis.

Mboko, who is hoping to make her first trip to DR Congo soon, said, “A lot of their life revolved around tennis.”

“My dad always made sure he was watching my drills. He used to work night shifts to pick up me in the morning.

They have always encouraged me to pursue my passions.

Mboko emphasized how significant her father’s “emotional support” was during her breakout season.

Mboko said, “I’ve always been very appreciative that he can travel and accompany me at these tournaments.

Mboko’s season couldn’t have gone much better.

She won her first 20 matches in 2025 and won four ITF World Tennis Tour titles in a row by the natural talent of first-strike tennis.

Before Montreal’s seismic success, confidence grew, but Mboko struggled as a result of a persistent wrist injury.

She did not win until two and a half months later in Tokyo after losing her first match at her next four matches, including the US Open.

No panic occurred. Despite her soft-spoken and unassuming off-court demeanor, Mboko remained confident in changing her course.

She said, “I get that there is a little pressure on you to win again after a tournament.”

I prefer to remain completely at ease and do not have high expectations.

You can beat or can beat you on any given day because there are so many talented players.