The ‘Battle of the Sexes’ has been a format that tennis has returned to time and time again throughout history.
Made famous by Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs’ match in 1973, the format will return once again in 2025.
Nick Kyrgios will take on Aryna Sabalenka in the latest update of the match, which takes place on December 28 in Dubai.
In 2013, there were whispers of a match between Serena Williams and Andy Murray, and the American discussed her chances of winning.
Serena Williams shared her chances of beating Andy Murray
Murray was asked whether he would be keen to play Williams in a ‘Battle of the Sexes’ style match in 2013.
Speaking to The Daily Telegraph about potentially playing Williams, Murray said: “I’d be up for it. Why not?
“I’ve never hit with her but she’s obviously an incredible player and I think people would be interested to see the men play against the women to see how the styles match up.”
Battles of the Sexes 2025 rules
- The exhibition will be the best of three sets, with a 10 point tie-breaker if it goes to a decider
- The dimensions of Sabalenka’s side of the court will be 9% smaller
- Each player will only receive one serve
Williams was equally excited about the prospect of playing the three-time Grand Slam champion, but she did not fancy her chances of beating the star.
“That would be fun,” said the 23-time Grand Slam champion. “I doubt I’d win a point, but that would be fun.”
Since 2013, there have been a number of Battle of the Sexes style matches, including Johanna Konta vs Pat Cash and Hubert Hurkacz vs Iga Swiatek.
Andy Murray and Serena Williams’ foray into doubles
The match never happened, but the multi-time Grand Slam winners did combine for an all-star doubles team at Wimbledon in 2019.
Murray and Williams, dubbed ‘Mu-rena’, reached the round of 16 at the grass court Grand Slam after beating Andreas Mies and Alexa Guarachi, as well as Raquel Atawo and Fabrice Martin.
Where does Andy Murray rank among the best players in tennis?
Their campaign was ended at the hands of Bruno Soares and Nicole Melichar-Martinez, but the partnership had a huge effect on Williams.
After Murray retired in 2024, the American said: “I had the pleasure of playing mixed doubles by your side, which was such a fantastic experience to do that at Wimbledon. It was really one of the highlights of my life so I’m just so grateful that I had that experience.”
