- Will take place in Dubai on December 28
Nick Kyrgios believes few male players on today’s ATP tour would be brave enough to face a top woman – as the maverick Aussie prepares to take on world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka in a Battle of the Sexes exhibition match later this month.
While many consider the December 28 meeting in Dubai as nothing more than entertainment, some critics believe it risks undermining the reputation of women’s tennis.
Women’s trailblazer Billie Jean King famously defeated the 55-year-old former Grand Slam champion Bobby Riggs in a similar showdown in 1973, and Kyrgios conceded he was a bit nervous.
‘I think my chances are really high. I’m very confident in my ability,’ Kyrgios said during the World Tennis League exhibition tournament in Bengaluru this week.
‘It’s going to be fun, but also I am a bit nervous. I like doing things that are outside the box.
‘Honestly, not many males in my position would have done that and taken the opportunity.’
Nick Kyrgios has declared his chances are ‘really high’ ahead of his clash with women’s world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka (right) in a Battle of the Sexes exhibition match in Dubai
Sabalenka – a four-time Grand Slam champion – knows all the pressure will be on Kyrgios to win come December 28
Unlike Riggs, Kyrgios is still an active player on the men’s circuit – even though he has played only five professional matches in 2025 due to injury.
The former world No.13 said in September that women cannot return men’s serves and he would defeat Sabalenka ‘without having to try 100 per cent’.
He added the match would ‘increase respect’ between the men’s and women’s professional tours.
Sabalenka recently conceded men were ‘biologically stronger’, but her clash with the former Wimbledon finalist was more about bringing women’s tennis to a higher level.
Kyrgios, a major draw on and off the court with his natural talent and unapologetic personality, said he was unsure how the Dubai event would unfold.
‘I don’t know what’s going to happen, we’ll see,’ he added.
‘I’ve been in a lot of controversies in my whole career and this is another thing I get to experience.’
For Aussie viewers, the exhibition match will be broadcast live and exclusive on Stan Sport.
