<p>World No1<strong> Aryna Sabalenka</strong> will take on former men's Wimbledon finalist <strong>Nick Kyrgios</strong> as the 'Battle of the Sexes' exhibition match is resurrected in Dubai on December 28.</p> <p>The controversial clash at the Coca Cola Arena was confirmed on Tuesday, with special rules and court modifications designed to level the playing field between the four-time Grand Slam champion and the Australian ranked 652nd in the men's game.</p> <h2>When is the Sabalenka vs Kyrgios Battle of the Sexes Match?</h2> <ul> <li>Date: December 28, 2025</li> <li>Location: Coca Cola Arena, Dubai</li> <li>Format: Exhibition match (no ranking points available)</li> </ul> <p>The event marks the fourth time a professional men's player has faced a professional women's player in this format, following three previous high-profile encounters.</p> <h2>Battle of the Sexes History: Previous Matches</h2> <p><strong>Has Battle of the Sexes happened before?</strong> Yes, three times:</p> <h3>Billie Jean King vs Bobby Riggs (1973)</h3> <p>The most famous Battle of the Sexes matches occurred in 1973 between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs. Riggs beat King in straight sets in their first encounter, but King exacted her revenge to conjure a shock victory in the second match later that year. The rematch reached a global television audience of 90 million viewers.</p> <h3>Jimmy Connors vs Martina Navratilova (1992)</h3> <p>Americans Jimmy Connors and Martina Navratilova took each other on in the most recent rendition back in 1992, with Connors emerging the two-set victor.</p> <p>Now, 33 years later, the concept has been brought to the surface once more.</p> <h2>Aryna Sabalenka vs Nick Kyrgios: Special Rules Explained</h2> <h3>Court Size Modifications</h3> <p><strong>Will Sabalenka and Kyrgios play on the same size court? </strong>No. Sabalenka's side of the court will be 9% smaller than Kyrgios' side.</p> <p><strong>Why is Sabalenka's court smaller?</strong> Event organisers Evole state that female players move 9% more slowly than men. As a result, Sabalenka's side will be reduced by 9% to compensate for the speed difference.</p> <h3>Serving Rules Changed</h3> <p>How many serves will each player get? Both players will be limited to one serve each, instead of the traditional two serves in professional tennis.</p> <p><strong>Why only one serve? </strong>The modification is designed to limit Kyrgios' power advantage. The 30-year-old Australian has the eighth-most aces across the men's game throughout his career.</p> <p>However, Sabalenka herself possesses a formidable serve. The 27-year-old hit the second-fastest serve by a woman ever, smashing down a 133mph ball at the WTA Elite Trophy back in 2018.</p> <h2>Battle of the Sexes 2025: Match Format</h2> <p>What format is the Sabalenka vs Kyrgios match? According to BBC Sport, the exhibition will keep the previous best-of-three sets format used in prior Battle of the Sexes encounters.</p> <p>Match format breakdown:</p> <ul> <li>Best-of-three sets</li> <li>10-point championship tiebreak if a third set is required</li> <li>One serve per player (not two)</li> <li>Modified court size (Sabalenka's side 9% smaller)</li> </ul> <h2>Player Form and Recent History</h2> <p><strong>Aryna Sabalenka 2025 Season:</strong> The 27-year-old Belarusian claimed her fourth major title at the US Open back in September. She currently holds the world No1 ranking in women's tennis.</p> <p><strong>Nick Kyrgios 2025 Season:</strong> The former Wimbledon finalist has played just five matches this calendar year, having struggled with a wrist injury. He is currently ranked 652nd in the men's game.</p> <h2>No Ranking Points or Official Sanction</h2> <p><strong>Will the match count for ATP or WTA rankings?</strong> No. There will be no ranking points available for either player, with neither the ATP nor the WTA sanctioning the contest.</p> <p><strong>How much prize money is available?</strong> Appearance fees and prize money have not yet been disclosed by event organisers.</p> <h2>Controversy Over Battle of the Sexes Format</h2> <p>The exhibition has drawn attention for its modified rules, particularly the court size adjustment based on movement speed statistics. The decision to make Sabalenka's court 9% smaller than Kyrgios' side has sparked debate about whether such modifications are necessary or appropriate.</p> <p>The serving rule limiting both players to one serve aims to neutralize Kyrgios' power advantage, though Sabalenka's own serving prowess - demonstrated by her 133mph record - suggests she won't be at a significant disadvantage in that aspect of the game.</p> <p>The December 28 clash in Dubai promises to reignite debate about men's versus women's tennis that hasn't been seen since Connors faced Navratilova over three decades ago. With Kyrgios returning from injury and Sabalenka arriving as the world's top-ranked player, the modified format will test whether the rule changes create a genuinely competitive spectacle.</p>