Exactly 51 years ago, on September 20, 1973, one of the most significant events in the history of women’s sports was played out in front of one of the largest TV audiences in history. The results of that monumental match sent shockwaves across the world and forever changed the ‘feminist’ movement which was underway.
Exaggeration? Maybe it is. Before you decide, let me give you a brief rundown of the famous tennis match between Bobby Riggs and Billie Jean King that changed the way women’s tennis and sports was viewed.
Bobby Riggs had been the top ranked player in the 1940’s and after retiring in 1951, he became a promoter of the game and became well known as a gambler. In 1973, at age 55, he held two events both of which were dubbed as “Battle of the Sexes” in order to prove once and for all the inferiority of the female game.
The first match was between Riggs and Margaret Court. 30 year old Court had just recently returned to the sport after giving birth in March 1972. The match, also referred to as the “Mother’s Day Massacre” resulted in an overwhelming victory for Riggs who was play acting the entire time.
This was a huge victory for critics of women’s tennis and a setback for those who were campaigning for equal pay in sports. Something needed to be done. And then a miracle happened – Riggs taunted all female tennis players which prompted Billie Jean King to accept a huge load of moneyzz to play Riggs in an nationally televised match that promoters dubbed “Battle of the Sexes”.
At that time, King was the World No.2 behind Court (cue wails of despair). After all if the World No.1 could not beat a 55 year old dude who was past his prime, what chance did King have.
Like a true gambler, Riggs had placed many bets on the outcome of the match, the nature of which have never been made public. His confidence showed in every media interaction and he strutted around like a peacock trying to rediscover its pompadour.
On September 20, 1973 the two players took to the court at Astrodome in Houston, Texas. In the first set, King fell behind 3-2 with Riggs breaking her serve. Riggs was still playing to the crowd, acting like a comedian. Little did he know, he would have drop this act in a few minutes.
Billie Jean King had learned from the loss of Margaret Court. She ditched her usual aggressive style, choosing instead to adopt a more reserved style to force her opponent to move across the pitch, a near impossible feat at his age. Riggs was forced to run from side to side, forced to spend energy on returns than on playing offense.
King won the game 6-4, 6-3, 6-3. The result stunned audiences worldwide. As it turns out, given the right conditions, women could beat men. While the physical advantage exists, it proved that women could play tennis just as well as men. King herself felt that beating Riggs was more than just a publicity stunt. It was for women’s tennis and women’s liberation.
“I thought it would set us back 50 years if I didn’t win that match. It would ruin the women’s tour and affect all women’s self-esteem.”
While there are many theories ranging from allegations of match throwing to Riggs placing bets on himself, this match changed the trajectory of women’s sports. It is said to have inspired women to get into sports and work on their fitness. It also increased the popularity of the recently formed Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) and its greater role in the sport.
It led to a whole slew of pop culture moments including a 2017 movie starring Emma Stone and Steve Carell. There were many documentaries and the match has become even more legendary as each year passes.
So again I ask – Exaggeration?
Frankly, WHO CARES!! This is not a post about biology, physiology, or right and wrong. This is just me being a history and sports geek figuring out the significance of events.
In the world of sports and entertainment, nobody cares about what went on during the match or who did what. Only the results matter. If not for this match, legends like Maria Sharapova and the Williams sisters might have never graced tennis.
If Riggs did throw the match as claimed, that would be the greatest serve of his career.
