World No. 1 tennis champion Aryna Sabalenka is poised to make history in Dubai with a groundbreaking exhibition match against Australian star Nick Kyrgios on December 28. The highly anticipated event revives the iconic ‘Battle of the Sexes’ format, echoing the legendary 1973 contest between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs that captivated 90 million viewers worldwide.
The Belarusian powerhouse, fresh from defending her US Open title—a feat not accomplished in over a decade—views the exhibition as more than mere spectacle. “I love moments that make people stop and talk,” Sabalenka revealed in an exclusive interview with Khaleej Times. “This format challenges old assumptions while delivering elite competition.”
Beyond the court, Sabalenka is carving a new path as entrepreneur and investor in health-tech venture IM8, a premium supplement brand under Prenetics Global Limited. She describes her business move as “natural” given her professional focus on peak performance and recovery. The tennis star has partnered with co-founders David Beckham and Danny Yeung in what she characterizes as an authentic collaboration rather than mere endorsement.
When discussing her preparation strategy against Kyrgios—ranked as high as world No. 13 and one of only three players to defeat all ‘Big Three’ champions—Sabalenka maintains her signature approach: “I don’t change who I am. I stay focused on my strengths: power, intensity, belief.”
The exhibition will feature modified rules to ensure competitive engagement, though Sabalenka emphasizes her primary goal remains demonstrating that “women’s tennis is fearless, explosive, and made for the biggest stages.”
Regarding her connection to Dubai, the champion athlete described the emirate as representing “ambition” and “forward-thinking mentality.” Her perfect Dubai day balances intense training sessions with recovery through quality cuisine and mental reset moments, leveraging what she calls Dubai’s “unique ability to provide calm within its energy.”
Sabalenka’s business philosophy mirrors her athletic approach: trusting instincts while committing fully to authentic opportunities. As she builds her legacy both on and off the court, she aims to be remembered as “someone who played fearlessly and lived authentically,” emphasizing that for top athletes, “the hardest work happens when no one is watching.”