Why the New ‘Battle of the Sexes’ Between Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios Is Dividing Tennis

The Modern ‘Battle of the Sexes’: A Clash Between Equality, Ego, and Entertainment

More than half a century after Billie Jean King famously beat Bobby Riggs in the original “Battle of the Sexes,” tennis finds itself preparing for a sequel that feels part sporting experiment, part cultural flashpoint. This time, it’s Aryna Sabalenka, the reigning women’s world number one, facing Nick Kyrgios — the mercurial Australian whose talent and temperament have long made him one of the sport’s most divisive figures.

Set for 28 December in Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena, the exhibition promises spectacle, controversy, and perhaps a little chaos — all the ingredients that make tennis headlines beyond the back pages. But as the announcement of this modern-day rematch rippled through the tennis world, it quickly became clear that opinions are deeply split.

To some, it’s an innovative celebration of sport and equality, a bold experiment to reimagine how men and women can share the same stage. To others, it’s a misguided publicity stunt — one that risks undermining the very progress Billie Jean King fought so hard to achieve.

A Match Built for the Modern Era

Kyrgios reached a career-high ranking of 13th in the world in 2016

Unlike the 1973 encounter between King and Riggs, which was steeped in the politics of gender equality and the women’s liberation movement, this upcoming exhibition has been pitched as a show of “respect and rivalry.”

Sabalenka, 27, has been in imperious form over the last 18 months. She’s the most dominant player on the WTA Tour, boasting four Grand Slam titles and a reputation for ferocious power. Her victory at the 2025 US Open cemented her as the face of women’s tennis.

Kyrgios, 30, stands on the opposite end of the competitive spectrum. Once one of the brightest talents in men’s tennis, he’s now ranked 652nd in the world after injuries, personal issues, and an on-again-off-again relationship with the sport. Yet, few players command attention quite like him.

The match will follow a best-of-three-set format, with a 10-point tie-break if it reaches a decider. But in an effort to “level the playing field,” organisers have introduced experimental modifications. Sabalenka’s side of the court will be 9% smaller, reflecting data showing that women move approximately 9% slower than men. Kyrgios, meanwhile, will be limited to one serve — a significant handicap for a player once clocked at 143 mph.

In theory, the tweaks should bring the contest closer. In practice, it’s hard to know what to expect. Sabalenka is one of the most powerful hitters in the women’s game, possessing a 133 mph serve and top-five service hold statistics on the WTA Tour. But Kyrgios, even far from peak fitness, remains a uniquely gifted shotmaker capable of dazzling the crowd on instinct alone.

“I genuinely think I’m going to win,” Sabalenka said with her trademark swagger. “I’ll definitely go out there and try my best to kick his ass.”

Divided Opinions: Harmless Fun or Regressive Sideshow?

Ever since whispers of this exhibition began at the US Open, tennis fans have split into two camps.

One side sees the event as harmless entertainment — an opportunity to draw younger audiences into the sport, blending competition with spectacle in the social media age. The other fears it will trivialise women’s tennis and reopen old wounds about gender equality in sport.

For context, Billie Jean King’s 1973 victory over Bobby Riggs was not just a match; it was a movement. King’s win over the self-proclaimed male chauvinist was a turning point in the fight for equal pay and recognition in tennis. It inspired a generation of women athletes to demand respect and helped lay the foundation for the equal prize money that now exists at all four Grand Slams.

The organisers of the new event — the Evolve agency, co-founded by Naomi Osaka and her business partner Stuart Duguid — insist this is about celebrating equality, not mocking it.

“This is about respect, rivalry, and reimagining what equality in sport can look like,” Duguid told BBC Sport.

Plans are already in motion to broadcast the event globally, with organisers eyeing a sold-out 17,000-seat arena. There are no ranking points at stake, and neither the ATP nor WTA has sanctioned the match. It’s pure exhibition — part performance, part experiment.

Still, the optics are tricky. While Sabalenka stands to gain financially and in global visibility, her on-court reputation could take a hit if she loses — especially against a man who has barely competed for two years.

Kyrgios: The Ultimate Wildcard

For Kyrgios, this match offers something else entirely — a return to relevance.

His playing career has been blighted by injuries and controversies. At his peak, he was a box-office attraction capable of beating the world’s best, but equally capable of self-destructing. Off the court, his history of disciplinary fines, confrontations, and erratic behaviour has often overshadowed his talent.

More troubling are his off-court controversies. In 2023, Kyrgios pleaded guilty to assaulting an ex-girlfriend, receiving a non-conviction ruling. In 2024, he had to publicly distance himself from influencer Andrew Tate after being accused of endorsing sexist rhetoric.

So when Kyrgios joked on a podcast that he wouldn’t need to “try 100%” to beat Sabalenka, it reignited concerns about his attitude toward women in sport. Critics argue that giving him such a platform risks validating those views.

In contrast, his official statement struck a different tone: “When the world number one challenges you, you answer the call. I’ve got massive respect for Aryna — she’s a powerhouse and a true champion.”

For Kyrgios, this is another stage. For Sabalenka, it’s a test she didn’t need to take — but one she seems to relish.

“Nothing to Gain”: The Critics’ View

Not everyone is convinced this is a good idea. Catherine Whitaker, co-host of The Tennis Podcast, was particularly scathing.

“I see absolutely nothing to be gained for women’s tennis — only bleakness,” she told BBC Sport. “It’s a crass commercial venture and a vehicle for one of the sport’s most outspoken misogynists who just wants attention.”

Whitaker’s argument is shared by many who fear the match could do more harm than good. If Sabalenka wins, critics will claim Kyrgios was unfit and irrelevant. If she loses, it risks reinforcing damaging stereotypes about women’s athletic ability. “Unless she wins 6-0 6-0,” Whitaker said, “people will only find ammunition to fire at women’s tennis.”

Her words strike a nerve — because the original Battle of the Sexes wasn’t just about winning a match, it was about winning a cultural war. King’s triumph was symbolic; it shifted perceptions and policies. This new edition, however, seems rooted more in marketing than meaning.

The Fine Line Between Progress and Performance

Perhaps that’s the heart of the issue: is this match about equality, or entertainment?

In 1973, the stakes were seismic — the fight for recognition, respect, and representation. In 2025, they’re murkier. Sabalenka and Kyrgios aren’t enemies; they’re entertainers. The court will be adjusted, the rules tweaked, the crowd captivated — but whether it moves the conversation forward is another matter entirely.

Still, there’s something undeniably intriguing about it. Two of the sport’s most combustible personalities squaring off in a controlled chaos of power, pride, and performance.

Maybe that’s all it needs to be. A show. A spectacle. A reminder that sport, at its heart, is about daring to compete — even when the world isn’t quite sure why.

As Billie Jean King herself once said: “Pressure is a privilege.” For Sabalenka and Kyrgios, that pressure will be shared — under the lights, in Dubai, in a Battle of the Sexes for a new era. Whether it unites or divides, the world will be watching once again.