Nick Kyrgios To Play Women’s No 1 Aryna Sabalenka In Battle Of The Sexes Clash

Nick Kyrgios, Australian erstwhile Wimbledon finalist, is to play women’s world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka successful an accumulation lucifer successful Dubai.

The conflict evokes memories of nan 1973 Battle of nan Sexes lucifer betwixt Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs – which King won successful consecutive sets successful nan Houston Astrodome and was later nan taxable of a Hollywood movie.

Kyrgios besides follows Australians Margaret Court, Evonne Goolagong Cawley and Pat Cash successful playing specified a match.

The exhibition, to return spot connected 28 December, was confirmed by some players connected societal media. It is apt to beryllium played nether modified rules including Kyrgios being restricted to a azygous serve.

“When nan world No 1 challenges you, you reply nan call. I’ve sewage monolithic respect for Aryna; she’s a powerhouse and a existent champion,” said Kyrgios, who shares an supplier pinch Sabalenka.

“But I’ve ne'er backed down from a challenge, and I’m not conscionable present to play, I’m present to entertain. This is what I unrecorded for.”

Aryna Sabalenka astatine nan WTA Finals. Photograph: Robert Prange/Getty Images

Kyrgios, 30, has hardly played successful caller years aft being plagued by injuries and is presently classed 652nd successful nan world.

He was successful nan apical 20 successful October 2022 erstwhile he was forced to retreat from nan quarter-final of nan ATP 500 Tokyo Open pinch a near knee injury.

He has since played six matches, winning one, losing 4 and retiring successful nan other. He past played connected nan ATP Tour astatine nan Miami Open successful March.

“I person a batch of respect for Nick and his talent, but make nary mistake, I’m fresh to bring my A-game,” Sabalenka, 27, has said of nan match.

The Battle of nan Sexes lucifer came aft Riggs, past 55 and a long-retired tennis pro, hit Court successful May 1973.

Court, who won nan Australian, French and US Open titles that year, mislaid 6-2 6-1 successful what was later dubbed nan “Mother’s Day Massacre”.

King, who had initially rejected Riggs’ challenge, past felt she had to respond, successful what was promoted arsenic nan first charismatic Battle of nan Sexes.

King won 6-4 6-3 6-3 successful beforehand of an estimated 90 cardinal TV viewers.

“I person truthful overmuch respect for Billie Jean King and what she has done for nan women’s game,” Sabalenka said. “I’m proud to correspond women’s tennis and to beryllium portion of this modern return of nan iconic Battle of nan Sexes match.”

There person been plentifulness of different mixed-gender singles matches correct backmost to 1888 erstwhile nan Wimbledon men’s and women’s singles champions played each other. Ernest Renshaw hit Lottie Dod 2-6 7-5 7-5 aft Dod began each crippled 30-0 up.

Among them successful 1975 Goolagong Cawley, past known arsenic Evonne Goolagong, hit Ilie Nastase 7-5. The latter, a noted entertainer, entered tribunal successful a dress, was not allowed to unreserved nan nett unless forced to by Goolagong’s shot, and only had 1 service while nan Australian could deed into nan doubles alleys.

Cash, past successful his early fifties, mislaid to then-British No.1 Johanna Konta successful 2017, 6-3. The lucifer was played successful a shopping centre, connected an artificial surface, pinch erstwhile subordinate Greg Rusedski umpiring and Cash described arsenic “flamboyant” pinch his shot-making.