Following Sabalenka's US Open win earlier this year, the Belarusian confirmed discussions about a meeting between her, the women's world number one and four-time grand slam winner, and Kyrgios. The 2022 Australian Wimbledon finalist is currently ranked 652nd in the world after injury problems in recent years.
The practice match between Sabalenka and Kyrgios will be played in Dubai on December 28, three days before New Year's Eve.
"I can't wait to get back on the court," Kyrgios says on his Instagram story.
The “Battle of the Sexes” epithet was coined in the 1970s when former men’s world number one Bobby Riggs, then 55 years old, first faced the legend Margaret Court, then 31, and won in straight sets in May 1973. In September of that year, Riggs then lost to another legend Billie Jean King, 29, in three straight sets in Houston, Texas.
Nineteen years later, in September 1992, Martina Navratilova and Jimmie Connors met in a match in Las Vegas that the men's player won in straight sets.
