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King Stuns Riggs in Epic Tennis Battle
17 Mar
Summary
- Ninety million watched King defeat Riggs in a major tennis exhibition.
- Riggs' hype and chauvinistic role amplified the match's global attention.
- King's win advanced the Women's Rights Movement and equal pay fight.
The "Battle of the Sexes" was a globally watched tennis match that captivated 90 million viewers. In this exhibition, 29-year-old Billie Jean King faced the 55-year-old former World No. 1 Bobby Riggs. Riggs had earlier defeated Margaret Court, then used a male chauvinist act to build hype for his match against King.
The lead-up featured significant promotional antics and insults, drawing unprecedented attention to tennis. King, while appreciating the spectacle, recognized the match's importance for the Women's Rights Movement and the push for equal pay. She delivered a decisive victory, winning 6-4, 6-3, 6-3.
King's iconic dress from the match is now preserved in the Smithsonian. Her distinguished career includes 12 Grand Slam singles titles and a Hall of Fame induction. The USTA's Tennis Center, which hosts the U.S. Open, bears her name.
