‘Battle of the Sexes’ – compelling or concerning?

Women’s world number one Aryna Sabalenka and former men’s Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios have agreed to tennis’s latest iteration of the Battle of the Sexes.

The event, which will take place in late December in Dubai, will be the latest such contest to take place, following Billie Jean King’s high-profile victory over 55-year-old Bobby Riggs in 1973, which is widely considered a watershed moment for the women’s game in its bid to gain greater recognition and funding.

Sabalenka, who has dominated women’s tennis in recent years, winning four major titles, has said that she “has a lot of respect” for the Australian, but is “ready to bring [her] A-game.” Kyrgios, who has been ranked as high as 13th in the world, has endured a different career trajectory lately, having been plagued by injuries in recent seasons, following an impressive run to the Wimbledon final in 2022.