Aryna Sabalenka vs Nick Kyrgios: ‘Battle of the Sexes’ in Dubai – Date, TV & Storylines
Women’s world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and former Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios are set to meet in a headline-grabbing exhibition match titled “Battle of the Sexes: The Dubai Showdown” at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai on December 28.
The one-night event will be played indoors in front of up to 17,000 fans, making use of the arena’s fully climate-controlled setup in Dubai’s City Walk entertainment district.
Below, we break down the format, the backstory between Sabalenka and Kyrgios, the historical “Battle of the Sexes” legacy, and what to expect in terms of TV and live streaming options for fans in the United States.
Date, Venue and Format
- Event name: Battle of the Sexes – The Dubai Showdown
- Match-up: Aryna Sabalenka vs Nick Kyrgios
- Date: Sunday, 28 December 2025
- Venue: Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai, UAE (indoor, capacity 17,000)
- Surface: Hard court
- Organiser/promoter: TLIVE and local partners in Dubai
To keep things competitive between the women’s world No. 1 and a big-serving ATP pro, organizers are planning a modified format:
- Kyrgios will reportedly be limited to one serve instead of the usual two.
- Sabalenka will be allowed to aim at a slightly expanded target area on Kyrgios’ side of the court.
Exact scoring details (number of sets, tie-break rules) have not yet been made public, but all communication from organizers so far points to a serious but entertainment-driven exhibition rather than a made-for-laughs stunt.
How the Match Came Together
The idea for Sabalenka vs Kyrgios has been floating around since earlier in the season. During the US Open, Kyrgios publicly suggested that he could beat Sabalenka, even implying he would not need to be at “100 percent” to do it.
Asked about those comments in New York, Sabalenka made it clear she’d be up for the challenge and was eager to “prove him wrong”. That interest has now turned into a fully fledged event in Dubai.
On November 4, both players confirmed on social media that the match is officially on, with TLIVE and the Coca-Cola Arena unveiling the “Battle of the Sexes: The Dubai Showdown” branding and opening pre-registration for tickets.
Form Guide
Aryna Sabalenka
Sabalenka comes into Dubai as the reigning US Open champion and world No. 1, fresh off defending her title in New York to claim her fourth Grand Slam singles trophy.
Key achievements heading into the exhibition:
- 4 Grand Slam singles titles – two Australian Opens and two US Opens.
- Back-to-back US Open crowns in 2024 and 2025, the first woman to do so since Serena Williams.
- A sustained stay at No. 1 in the WTA rankings, built on consistent deep runs at majors and WTA 1000 events.
In other words, Sabalenka is not just a “big hitter”, she’s currently the standard-bearer in women’s tennis, and she clearly sees this event as a chance to represent the women’s game in a historic format.
Nick Kyrgios
On the other side of the net is Nick Kyrgios, one of the sport’s most charismatic and polarising figures. His peak remains the 2022 Wimbledon final, where he pushed Novak Djokovic before losing in four sets.
But the time since that run has been anything but straightforward:
- Kyrgios has been plagued by knee and wrist injuries, missing large chunks of the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
- In 2025 he has played only a handful of matches, and his limited competitive schedule has seen his ranking slide to around No. 650 in the world.
- His last appearance on the ATP Tour came at the Miami Open in March, where he fell in the second round.
Despite the rust, Kyrgios insists he is feeling “amazing” again and says events like the Dubai exhibition are what he “lives for,” promising to “bring the heat” and entertain.
A New Chapter in the ‘Battle of the Sexes’ Story
The Dubai showdown borrows its name – and some of its spirit – from one of tennis’ most famous spectacles.
Billie Jean King vs Bobby Riggs (1973)
The original and most iconic “Battle of the Sexes” took place in September 1973 at the Houston Astrodome, where Billie Jean King defeated former Wimbledon champion Bobby Riggs in straight sets, 6–4, 6–3, 6–3, before a huge global TV audience.
The match is now seen as a landmark moment for women’s sport, both symbolically and commercially.
The ‘Mother’s Day Massacre’
A few months earlier, Riggs had beaten Australian Open and French Open champion Margaret Court 6–2, 6–1 in another exhibition in Ramona, California, a match that became known as the “Mother’s Day Massacre”.
Navratilova vs Connors (1992)
In 1992, Caesars Palace in Las Vegas hosted a “Battle of Champions” between Martina Navratilova and Jimmy Connors, played under handicapped rules: Connors had only one serve, while Navratilova could hit into half of the doubles alley on each side. Connors edged the match 7–5, 6–2, with both players guaranteed $500,000 in appearance fees and the winner’s prize money doubled.
Dubai’s Sabalenka vs Kyrgios showdown is being framed as the fourth major instalment of this Battle of the Sexes tradition, with Sabalenka herself saying she feels “proud to represent women’s tennis” in a modern take on King vs Riggs.
Double Duty in December: The Garden Cup in New York
Dubai won’t be the only time these two share a billing in December.
On December 8, just a few weeks earlier, both Sabalenka and Kyrgios are scheduled to play the Garden Cup exhibition at Madison Square Garden in New York, but not against each other:
- Sabalenka vs Naomi Osaka
- Kyrgios vs Tommy Paul
That event also features mixed doubles and is positioned as a high-gloss showcase for star names under the MSG lights. Dubai, in contrast, is a one-match card built entirely around the gender-battle narrative of Sabalenka vs Kyrgios.
Tickets and availability
The Coca-Cola Arena has quickly become one of the Middle East’s key indoor venues, built to host concerts, large-scale shows and major sports events all year round thanks to its retractable seating and full air-conditioning.
With a 17,000-seat capacity, the Sabalenka - Kyrgios exhibition has the potential to be one of the largest attended tennis events ever staged in the region.
Pre-sale registrations have already opened via the arena and event organizers, and demand is expected to be strong given the combination of:
- Sabalenka’s status as current WTA No. 1 and multiple major champion.
- Kyrgios’ global fanbase and reputation as one of tennis’ most watchable personalities.
TV and Streaming: Who Might Show Sabalenka vs Kyrgios in the US?
At the time of writing, no official broadcast or streaming partners have been announced for the Battle of the Sexes exhibition, either in the UAE or internationally. Organizers have only confirmed the date, venue and ticketing details.
For US viewers, several familiar tennis broadcasters stand out as logical landing spots, although nothing is confirmed and the following is speculation only:
- Tennis Channel: Tennis Channel is the dedicated 24/7 tennis network in the US and already holds rights to ATP and WTA events, Laver Cup, Davis Cup and the Billie Jean King Cup. The network frequently airs exhibitions and special events and would be a natural fit for a one-off, high-profile match like Sabalenka vs Kyrgios.
- ESPN / ESPN Select (Formerly ESPN+): ESPN is deeply invested in tennis, owning US rights to the Australian Open, Wimbledon and the US Open, with extensive linear coverage and streaming on ESPN Select.
- TNT Sports / Max (US): TNT Sports now handles US rights to the French Open, broadcasting via TNT, truTV and Max.
- Direct promoter stream / PPV: It’s also possible that TLIVE or the Coca-Cola Arena will offer a direct global live stream or pay-per-view through their own platforms, as has been done with other tennis exhibitions.
Until contracts are signed and announced, none of the above can be treated as confirmed. For now, US fans searching “how to watch Sabalenka vs Kyrgios live” or “Battle of the Sexes Dubai TV channel” should watch for updates on Livesportsontv.com, where we’ll list official TV channels and legal streaming options as soon as they’re released.
FAQ
When is the Aryna Sabalenka vs Nick Kyrgios ‘Battle of the Sexes’ match?
The exhibition is scheduled for Sunday, 28 December 2025 at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Where is the Sabalenka vs Kyrgios match being played?
The match will take place indoors at the Coca-Cola Arena, a 17,000-seat multi-purpose venue in Dubai’s City Walk district. The arena is fully air-conditioned and designed to host large concerts and sports events all year round.
How can I watch Sabalenka vs Kyrgios on TV or via live stream in the US?
No US broadcaster has been officially announced yet. Once rights are confirmed, TV channels and streaming platforms will be listed on Livesportsontv.com with local start times and live stream links.
Based on current tennis rights, Tennis Channel and ESPN/ESPN Select are among the most likely candidates, but that is informed speculation only until organizers reveal their media partners.
What is the match format for Sabalenka vs Kyrgios?
Final scoring details have not yet been published, but organizers have confirmed that special rules will be used to balance the contest:
- Kyrgios will be restricted to one serve per point.
- Sabalenka will be allowed to hit into an expanded target area on Kyrgios’ side, similar in spirit to the handicap rules used when Martina Navratilova faced Jimmy Connors in 1992.
Why is the match called ‘Battle of the Sexes’?
The name “Battle of the Sexes” is a deliberate nod to the historic 1973 exhibitions involving Bobby Riggs, Margaret Court and Billie Jean King, as well as the 1992 Navratilova vs Connors showdown. King’s victory over Riggs in Houston remains one of the most important moments in women’s sports history, and Sabalenka has said she is honoured to play in a modern version of that concept.
What have Sabalenka and Kyrgios said about the match?
Kyrgios has leaned into his usual swagger, suggesting earlier this year that he could beat Sabalenka without needing to be at 100 percent and promising to “bring the heat” for fans in Dubai.
Sabalenka, meanwhile, has embraced the challenge, saying she respects the history of Billie Jean King’s original Battle of the Sexes and is ready to bring her A-game to represent women’s tennis on the big stage.
As soon as TV channels, streaming details and exact start times are confirmed, you’ll find a dedicated Sabalenka vs Kyrgios on TV & stream guide on Livesportsontv.com, listing how to watch the Battle of the Sexes live wherever you are.