DUBAI, Dec 27 (Reuters) - World number one Aryna Sabalenka ‌and Australian Nick Kyrgios said they were excited about facing the unknown when they meet in Sunday's "Battle of the Sexes" ‌exhibition match that has divided opinion in the tennis world.

Sunday's showdown between four-times Grand Slam champion Sabalenka and ‌former world number 13 Kyrgios is seen by many as entertainment, but critics believe it risks undermining women's tennis by trivialising decades of progress toward equality.