Nick Kyrgios vs Aryna Sabalenka: How to watch Battle of the Sexes on TV, rules and format

Half-a-century on from Billie Jean King’s iconic clash with Bobby Riggs, Aryna Sabalenka will lock horns with Nick Kyrgios in tennis’ new-look Battle of the Sexes.

King famously got the better of her fellow American way back in 1973 and Sabalenka will be looking to repeat history when she steps out onto the court at Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena.

There is something innately fascinating about the match-up considering men and women are so rarely given the opportunity to test their wits against one another at the elite level of professional tennis.

Yes, the two sexes regularly face off in mixed doubles event throughout the calendar, but hardly ever in one-vs-one matches, which is why today’s contest has received so much attention during an already jam-packed sporting schedule this festive period.

However, while an estimated 90 million people around the globe watched King defeat Riggs all those years ago, this weekend’s exhibition event has been met with its fair share of criticism from fans and pundits alike.

Some critics see the clash as little more than a money-grab and one that ultimately undermines the women’s game by exploiting gender differences for the purposes of entertainment – unlike King’s genuine efforts to bring about social change as a part of the women’s right movement back in 1973.

Despite the extraordinary progression of equality in tennis recent times, there are fears misogynists could use the match as an opportunity to strengthen inaccurate gender stereotypes and as an invitation to direct abuse at the women’s game.

But Sabalenka, the women’s world number one, has defended her involvement in the spectacle, insisting it will help ‘bring women’s tennis to a higher level’.

Asked whether it had the potential to be damaging, the Belarusian told BBC Sport: ‘I don’t agree.

‘I am not putting myself at any risk. We’re there to have fun and bring great tennis. Whoever wins, wins.’

Sabalenka continued: ‘It’s so obvious that the man is biologically stronger than the woman, but it’s not about that.

‘This event is only going to help bring women’s tennis to a higher level.’

Kyrgios, meanwhile, has said the Dubai contest will provide something ‘special’ to tennis fans who may be craving something a little different outside of the regular Grand Slams.

‘Tennis doesn’t really have that razzmatazz that often,’ the Australian, currently ranked 671 in the world, said.

‘I think that when something like this occurs it is pretty special.’

Start time and venue

Sabalenka will take on Kyrgios at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai today, Sunday December 28.

The contest is scheduled to begin at 3.45pm GMT.

How to watch on TV and live stream in the UK

Sabalenka’s clash with Kyrgios will be broadcast live on BBC One, with UK viewers able to watch the historic contest free of charge.

Live coverage of the action will also be available on BBC iPlayer for those with a TV license.

Clare Balding will host BBC’s programme and commentary will be provided by Andrew Cotter.

How many sets are there? Rules and format

The match will be the best of three sets, including a ten-point tie-breaker between the two players if required.

The Evolve agency, who are organising this weekend’s event, have confirmed that a modified court has been constructed and both competitors be limited to just one serve.

The nine per cent reduction of Sabalenka’s side of the court has been implemented in order to ‘reflect average movement-speed differences between men and women’.

It is hoped the removal of the second serve will limit Kyrgios’ natural power advantage over Sabalenka while also placing a greater emphasis on accuracy.

According to Sabalenka, the reigning US Open champion, it would have been ‘really tough’ to take on a male opponent using a full court with the standard rules and regulations.

‘I mean, physically they’re much stronger, speed, the power of the balls, everything is much stronger,’ she told Piers Morgan Uncensored.

‘So it’s tough to compete but in these conditions, like we’re having right now with the nine per cent smaller court, I feel like, okay, maybe at least I have a higher chance to compete and to see if I can win this.

‘And if I can then maybe maybe I will go for a regular match.’

First and second serves were allowed when the contest was initially planned – but Kyrgios argued for this to be changed.

I feel like if she had two serves and I only had one serve I would be the underdog, I’m not even joking,’ he said.

‘It would be tough out there!’

What happened in the original 1973 ‘Battle of the Sexes’?

Now considered a hugely significant moment for gender equality in sports, King defeated Riggs in straight sets (6-4, 6-3, 6-3) in the original Battle of the Sexes in 1973.

Though the incentive was far greater than cash reward, King – aged 29 and the top-ranked female player at the time – blew her opponent and her fellow American away to get her hands on the winner-takes-all prize of $100,000.

The late Riggs, a self-proclaimed ‘male chauvinist pig’, was aged 55 when the match took place in front of 30,000 spectators the Houston Astrodome.

Riggs was a former Wimbledon and US Open champion but proved no match for King, who dictated play from the baseline throughout – forcing her older opponent to cover far greater ground.

King has made no secret of her skepticism surrounding the ethics behind today’s contest.

‘The only similarity is that one is a boy and one is a girl. That’s it,’ she told BBC Sport.

‘Everything else, no. Ours was about social change; culturally, where we were in 1973. Mine was really political.

‘I knew I had to beat him for societal change. I had a lot of reasons to win.’

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