{"id":261252,"date":"2025-11-04T14:54:11","date_gmt":"2025-11-04T14:54:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/261252\/"},"modified":"2025-11-04T14:54:11","modified_gmt":"2025-11-04T14:54:11","slug":"aryna-sabalenka-to-face-nick-kyrgios-in-battle-of-the-sexes-tennis-match-boston-25-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/261252\/","title":{"rendered":"Aryna Sabalenka to face Nick Kyrgios in \u2018Battle of the Sexes\u2019 tennis match \u2013 Boston 25 News"},"content":{"rendered":"

Aryna Sabalenka, the top-ranked player in women\u2019s professional tennis, will face Nick Kyrgios in a match that is being billed as the fourth Battle of the Sexes<\/a> in the sport\u2019s history.<\/p>\n

The exhibition match between Sabalenka and Kyrgios, ranked No. 652 in men\u2019s tennis, will be held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates,<\/a> on Dec. 28.<\/p>\n

They will play indoors at the 17,000-seat Coca-Cola Arena.<\/p>\n

Both players have previously dished out trash talk about the match.<\/p>\n

Women\u2019s world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka will play men\u2019s world No. 652 Nick Kyrgios in a tennis match labeled as the fourth Battle of the Sexes in the sport\u2019s history.<\/p>\n

Organized by Evolve, the agency which represents both players, the match will take place December 28 at the\u2026<\/p>\n

\u2014 The Athletic (@TheAthletic) November 4, 2025<\/a> <\/p>\n

Kyrgios said during a podcast<\/a> this summer with fellow men\u2019s tennis player Alexander Bublik that \u201cwomen can\u2019t return our serves,\u201d adding that he would win 6-2.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll try my best to kick his ass,\u201d Sabalenka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, said during a news conference at the U.S. Open.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen the world No. 1 challenges you, you answer the call,\u201d said Kyrgios, the 2022 Wimbledon finalist. \u201cI\u2019ve got massive respect for Aryna; she\u2019s a powerhouse and a true champion. But I\u2019ve never backed down from a challenge, and I\u2019m not just here to play \u2014 I\u2019m here to entertain.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Battle of the Sexes term was originally used for the 1973 tennis exhibition between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs. King won the match in straight sets at the Houston Astrodome.<\/p>\n

Earlier that year, Riggs defeated Margaret Court in two sets.<\/p>\n

A third battle in 1992 between Jimmy Connors and Martina Navratilova was won by Connors in two sets.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have so much respect for Billie Jean King and what she has done for the women\u2019s game,\u201d Sabalenka said<\/a>. \u201cI\u2019m proud to represent women\u2019s tennis and to be part of this modern take of the iconic Battle of the Sexes match.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI cannot wait to get back out on court,\u201d Kyrgios said<\/a> in an Instagram story. \u201cHonestly, I\u2019m feeling amazing. I never thought I would be back into this position, being able to travel the world, see my fans and play some amazing tennis.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a9 2025 Cox Media Group<\/p>\n