• Aryna Sabalenka will face Nick Kyrgios in a 'Battle of the Sexes' match on December 28.
• The exhibition match will take place at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai.
• Sabalenka is the reigning US Open champion and world number one.
• Kyrgios, currently ranked 652nd, has only played five matches this year due to injury.
• The match aims to celebrate women's tennis and draw from historical sporting events.

Women's world number one Aryna Sabalenka is set to challenge Australian player Nick Kyrgios in a highly anticipated 'Battle of the Sexes' exhibition match in Dubai on December 28. This contest, bringing together prominent figures from the tennis world, seeks to echo the historic showdown between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs in 1973, which became a significant moment for women's equality in sports, capturing the attention of approximately 90 million viewers worldwide, according to Reuters and Al Jazeera.

Sabalenka, aged 27, expressed her respect for King, stating, "I have so much respect for Billie Jean King and what she has done for the women's game." She also noted her desire to represent women's tennis in this modern interpretation of the historic match. Conversely, Kyrgios, who has faced a challenging year due to injury, mentioned his intention to "entertain" during the match, acknowledging Sabalenka's prowess, according to BBC and Reuters.

The format of the exhibition and the rules to be applied are still under consideration, though modifications and serving restrictions are being discussed to maintain competitive integrity. Historically, the 'Battle of the Sexes' has generated mixed opinions, with some seeing it as entertainment while others express concern over potential implications for women's sports, especially given Kyrgios’ previous controversies, according to BBC.

With Kyrgios' return to the court being minimal this year due to a wrist injury, and after seeing limited action outside of five matches, the anticipation builds as he faces off against the reigning US Open champion. Sabalenka seems confident, joking about her intent to beat Kyrgios, stating, "I'm ready to bring my A-game," and drawing attention to a broader conversation about gender in sports during this exhibition, according to Al Jazeera and BBC.