Tennis will stage a special chapter this Sunday in Dubai with the clash between Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios, a matchup that inevitably recalls the historic 1973 “Battle of the Sexes.” That match, played in Houston before 30,000 spectators, pitted Billie Jean King against Bobby Riggs and ended with a decisive win for the American, marking a turning point in the fight for equality in sports.
Twenty-two years later, the context has changed. The political charge is lower, but the media impact remains high. Sabalenka arrives convinced that the event can elevate tennis to a new level and showcase the competitiveness of the women’s tour against the men’s game.
A match with a message and unique rules
According to a report by Mundo Deportivo, the Belarusian star made it clear ahead of the match that this duel does not seek historical revenge, but visibility and growth. “They were fighting for different things. We are here to take tennis to another level and draw attention to our sport,” Sabalenka said, insisting that women have already proven they deserve equality.
Me había olvidado completamente pero mañana está la batalla de los sexos entre Aryna Sabalenka🇧🇾 y Nick Kyrgios🇦🇺
Quien gana? Para mí el resultado va a ser a 3 sets por espectáculo nomas, y obvio que confío en Aryna 💪🏻La transmite ESPN a las 16:00 hs pic.twitter.com/hw8sQQIn52
— Argentenista (@argentenista) December 27, 2025
The match will follow a best-of-three-sets format with special conditions. The court will be 9% shorter for Sabalenka, neither player will have a second serve, and a 10-point super tiebreak will decide the match if it reaches a deadlock. For the world No. 1, the challenge is both athletic and symbolic. “It’s a really unpredictable match, and I don’t know what to expect. That’s what I love,” she explained, stressing that facing a player like Kyrgios is a mental and physical test.
Kyrgios highlighted the collaborative value of the event after months hampered by injuries. “There are too many divisions and not enough teamwork,” the Australian said, convinced that initiatives like this send a positive message beyond the final result.
Sabalenka views the clash as a competitive boost ahead of her trip to Australia, where she will chase one of the few major titles that still elude her: the Australian Open.
