In a couple of hours, Aryna Sabalenka will face Nick Kyrgiosin Dubai on Sunday.
It's a made-for-entertainment clash that has already reignited one of most sensitive debates in our sport.
Former world no. 18 Francisco Clavet offered a blunt assessment ahead of the encounter. The Spaniard emphasized the structural gap between the men's and women's game.
His view was clear. Even the most dominant player in women's tennis, which Sabalenka certainly is, would struggle against male professionals far outside the elite tier. In his words, Aryna would not beat anyone from the ATP top-500 ranking list.
Per Clavet, the shot-making alone is not a problem, with the Belarusian hitting harder than many male players. On the other hand, the real difference lies in speed, endurance, movement and sustained rally tolerance.
The upcoming duel inevitably draws comparisons to the landmark 1973 showdown between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs. Back then, it was a cultural moment that transcended sport and reshaped perceptions of gender equality.
More than five decades later, the context is very different. This modern encounteris designed as a spectacle rather than a political statement or anything similar, carefully adjusted to create balance and intrigue.
To that end, organizers have introduced several rule modifications. Sabalenka will compete on a side of thecourt reduced by nine percent, reflecting data suggesting differences in average movement speed.
Kyrgios' serving advantage is limited by allowing only one serve, and if there's a deciding set, it will be settled by a 10-point tie break. That should tighten the contest without fundamentally changing the coreof the game.
Sabalenka is enjoying her 70th week as world no. 1, staying on the throne since October last year. By contrast, Kyrgios has played only a couple of matches since October 2022, battling with multiple injuries and undergoing surgeries.
The Aussie has not played official matches since March, but he attends to return to action within a few days in Brisbane. Today's Dubai match can be seen as entertainment, experiment or conversational starter.
If nothing, the latest female-male battlegives the world something to argue about. Now, it's time to wait for the match and see if Aryna willprove many people wrong.
"Take Jaume Munar, for example, who is a solid player. If Munar or a similar player plays without taking risks, there's no chance. And I would even say Aryna would not beat a player in the top-400 or top-500.
Ultimately, there's a huge gap. And that does not take anything away from the women or Aryna herself. She is an excellent player who hits some fantastic shots, often more powerful than many men's.
But if you consider all aspects of tennis, not just power, the difference is enormous: I'm talking about physique, legs, endurance, speed, and the consistency of her shots," Francisco Clavet said.
