More than five decades after Billie Jean King's historic victory over Bobby Riggs, tennis is set for another high-profile 'Battle of the Sexes'. This Sunday, 28th December, the controversial but charismatic Nick Kyrgios will take on the dominant women's world number one, Aryna Sabalenka, in a unique exhibition clash at Dubai's Coca-Cola Arena.
A Legacy of Showdowns and a New Controversy
The original 1973 match was a landmark moment for social change. Billie Jean King, a trailblazer for equality, faced the self-proclaimed 'male chauvinist pig' Bobby Riggs, a former Wimbledon champion. Her straight-sets victory was a powerful statement for women's rights in sport and beyond. Fifty-two years later, the upcoming duel carries a very different tone, framed by its organisers as pure entertainment rather than a political crusade.
Neither of the modern-day protagonists needs much introduction. Aryna Sabalenka has held the top ranking in women's tennis for a staggering 70 weeks, successfully defending her US Open title in 2025 to bring her Grand Slam haul to four. In contrast, Nick Kyrgios, currently ranked world number 671, has been plagued by injury, playing only five matches in 2025 and winning just one competitive singles match since late 2022.
Modified Rules and Mounting Tension
The match format has been specifically engineered to create a more competitive spectacle. The contest will be played over three sets, but with significant modifications. Sabalenka will play on a side of the court that is nine per cent smaller, a decision based on data from the Evolve agency which claims women move nine per cent slower than men. Both players will be limited to just one serve per point to curb Kyrgios's famous power, and any deciding third set will be settled by a 10-point tiebreak.
The build-up has featured the expected fiery exchanges. Kyrgios initially questioned whether he would need to give full effort, while Sabalenka promised to 'kick his a**' and suggested stars like Jannik Sinner or Carlos Alcaraz would have been more formidable opponents from the men's tour. However, as the match nears, both have softened their rhetoric, with Kyrgios acknowledging his past controversies and hoping the event fosters unity.
Divided Opinions From Legends and Peers
Billie Jean King herself has been blunt in distinguishing the two events. 'The only similarity is that one is a boy and one is a girl. That's it,' she told the BBC. 'Ours was about social change... This one is not.' She expressed hope for a great match but emphasised she played Riggs 'straight up' without court modifications.
This sentiment is echoed by some current players. World number 12 Casper Ruud described the concept as 'gimmicky', criticising the uneven playing field created by the altered court dimensions. The match, brokered by the Evolve agency which represents both athletes, will not offer official prize money, though both stars are likely to receive substantial appearance fees.
The clash will be broadcast live on BBC One from 3.45pm on Sunday, offering a curious and contentious end-of-year spectacle for tennis fans. While it lacks the profound cultural weight of King's triumph, the Kyrgios-Sabalenka showdown promises power, personality, and a fresh debate on the place of such exhibitions in modern sport.
