Billie Jean King has been a pioneer when it comes to the advancement of women’s tennis. She had a glittering tennis career, winning 12 Grand Slam singles titles and 27 Grand Slam doubles crowns. However, King will always be remembered for being an advocate for equal pay and being instrumental in the foundation of the WTA Tour. The American’s victory over Bobby Riggs in the famous “Battle of the Sexes” match in 1973 is one of the most historic moments in the sport.
King’s Seriousness About the Match
King took the match against Bobby Riggs very seriously. She said, “I’m taking this match very seriously. I welcome the responsibility and the pressure. Bobby had better be ready.” The former World No. 1 lived up to her words and beat then-55-year-old Riggs 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 at the Houston Astrodome, with 90 million viewers watching.
Importance of the Match in Women’s Tennis
King, speaking after winning the “Battle of the Sexes” match, emphasized the importance of the contest. She claimed that had she lost, women’s tennis would have suffered a major setback, and it could have ruined the women’s tour and affected women’s self-esteem. Riggs praised King’s performance after the match, saying, “She was too good. She played very well. It was over too quickly.”
Other Instances of Male vs. Female Tennis Matches
The match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs was one of several occasions when a female tennis player was up against her male colleague. Riggs had previously faced Margaret Court, winning 6-2, 6-1. In 1933, Phil Neer took on Helen Wills, winning 6-3, 6-4. Later, in 1992, Jimmy Connors and Martina Navratilova locked horns in an exhibition match at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, with Connors winning 7-5, 6-2. Another highly popular match happened in 1998, when Karsten Braasch took on Serena Williams and Venus Williams; he beat Serena 6-1 and triumphed 6-2 over Venus.
