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Sabalenka Faces Kyrgios in DubaiBattle of the Sexes’ Exhibition Under Altered Rules

The sold-out Coca-Cola Arena showcase trades the 1973 match’s equality stakes for a commercial spectacle.

Overview

  • The exhibition is taking place in Dubai and is being broadcast live on SuperTennis on December 28.
  • Organisers set special conditions: one serve per player, a 9% smaller half-court for Sabalenka, and a 10-point match tie-break if the sets are split.
  • Promoters report a sellout of roughly 17,000 seats at the Coca-Cola Arena, with tickets ranging from about €110 to €1,050.
  • Billie Jean King rejects parallels to her 1973 win over Bobby Riggs, and several former players predict Kyrgios would prevail under standard rules.
  • Aryna Sabalenka arrives as WTA No. 1 and Nick Kyrgios as ATP No. 671 after injuries, a matchup facilitated by their shared agent, with prize money undisclosed but reported to exceed the 1973 purse.