Aryna Sabalenka will take part in the "battle of the sexes." The tennis player will play against a man.

The "Battle of the Sexes," as the event is being called, will be another show designed to further ignite interest in tennis worldwide. Given today's virtually limitless leisure opportunities, such a "sports curiosity" could prove to be an interesting idea, attracting fans.

The "Battle of the Sexes" in Dubai: Aryna Sabalenka to Play Nick Kyrgios

Interestingly, both the participant and the contestant were very interested in a direct clash, which they repeatedly mentioned publicly. The very fact that a tennis player competes against a male tennis player is nothing new, considering the history of the sport.

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While exhibition performances are most often mentioned, it's worth recalling an event from 1973. The legendary Billie Jean King, then 29 years old, faced six-time Grand Slam champion Bobby Riggs, 55. The match took place at the Houston Astrodome in Texas and was televised on American television. According to various estimates, the broadcast could have attracted as many as 90 million viewers. However, 30,472 fans were in attendance, eager to see the outcome of the match.

Riggs, who initiated the event, challenged King to a match, suggesting that women's tennis wasn't as competitive as men's and that she could beat any player regardless of age. Ultimately, however, as reality proved, the player taught the arrogant theorist a lesson. It ended with a three-set victory for King, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3, earning her the $100,000 prize. Most importantly, however, the tennis player was an ambassador for women's rights on the court, including equal pay in professional tournaments.

What to expect from the Sabalenka-Kyrgios clash? It's certainly a completely different story than the aforementioned Riggs-King duel. The Australian, known for his controversial on-court style and outspoken opinions, provoked Sabalenka, suggesting he could beat her—even with "wooden legs." Kyrgios is a 2022 Wimbledon finalist, with his highest ranking being 13th in the ATP Rankings. However, over the past few months, he's mostly been a guest on the court, with sporadic, less-than-stellar performances, punctuated by repeated injuries.

Sabalenka, on the contrary, has been consistently leading the WTA rankings for two years, competing for the title of the best in the world mainly with Iga Świątek .

Read also: Iga Świątek couldn't believe her eyes. Shocking images in the Polish player's match. Read also: The Polish giant is remembered by fans. He saved a legendary club!