When Billie Jean beat Bobby – the Battle of the Sexes that defined an era

The only tennis match featured a piglet being handed over to a competitor, but it was a different ball game.

A best-of-five game between Billie Jean King and self-declared chauvinist Bobby Riggs was held at the Houston Astrodome on September 20, 1973, with an estimated 90 million spectators worldwide.

There was pageantry, pomp and a $100, 000 (£74, 765) cheque for the winner. The Battle of the Sexes was the second installment, but the title is more than just a marketing gimmick.

The women’s right movement was a result of King’s victory over Riggs. It had the potential to influence politics and the future of women’s tennis.

The battle of Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios will take place on Sunday under the banner of the Battle of the Sexes, but the stakes won’t be as high as they were when King faced King 52 years ago.

One is a boy, and one is a girl, the only thing that two people have in common. That’s it”, King told BBC Sport when asked about the Sabalenka-Kyrgios match.

“No, everything else,” Where we were in 1973 was the subject of our conversation, and it was about social change. Mine was really political.

At the height of her abilities, King was 29 years old, a 10-time Grand Slam singles champion, and reigning champion. Before World War Two ended his career, Riggs, 55, won the men’s singles, doubles, and mixed doubles titles at Wimbledon in 1939.

” He had been following me around for two years, asking me to play. In 2017, King told BBC World Service’s Sporting Witness program, “Bobby, I’m not going to play you.”

“Margaret lost,” I said, “but I only said yes.”

Australia’s Margaret Court, the 24-time major singles champion and then world number one, was one of King’s fiercest rivals. In the first Battle of the Sexes, Riggs was played by her.

After Riggs convincingly defeated the 30-year-old 6-2 6-1, the incident was later dubbed the “Mother’s Day Massacre.”

King was very aware of what winning – or losing – her match could mean.

In 1968, tennis transitioned to a professional sport. However, when King won the first Open singles title at Wimbledon, she won a prize of £750. Rod Laver, the men’s champion, took home £2, 000.

They formed their own women’s circuit, signing a symbolic $1 contract to compete in a tournament in Texas.

Afterward, they were prohibited from competing in Grand Slams for their bravery. The Women’s Tennis Association, a unified body established in 1973 to advance and regulate the female game, was established.

American showman Riggs had spent much of 1973 giving inflammatory interviews, claiming women” play 25% as good as men, so should get 25% of the money men get “and” if I am to be a chauvinist pig, I want to be the number one pig”.

Riggs was aware of his actions when he challenged King, a player whose prominent public figure was connected to the ever-increasing women’s rights movement. However, King was aware of how significant a victory over Riggs would be.

” It represented so much – equality, freedom, equal pay for equal work. King said, “I knew I had to win.”

Riggs was regarded as one of King’s heroes because she was a game student, and she mentally and physically prepared for the match.

She watched his replay of the game with Court. At the start, Riggs presented Court with a bouquet of roses. King perceived the court’s response as “right into his hands” when he curtseyed.

I would have grabbed him and kissed him if that was me. If he gets too dirty, I can get tough too, “King told Time magazine in 1973.

Riggs’ preparation wasn’t as thorough. He was unfazed because he had previously attended Wimbledon to watch King play.

” Billie Jean King is one of the all-time tennis greats, but she doesn’t stand a chance against me, “he told Time.

Riggs waddled around the court like a duck, which was mocked by King. But she knew where to draw the line.

Riggs showed up for a practice session sporting a shirt with two circles cut out his nipples. He joked that King would look better than him in it.

The next day, in their final news conference, a direct-speaking King called him a creep. She was given the order to return it. King said, “Creep stands. ” while staring him in the eye.

The Astrodome was packed when matchday arrived. Attendees included King’s rivals from Virginia Slims. Those in the premium $100 seats held signs that read” whiskey, women and Riggs “and” who needs women? ” “

In the pre-game theater, King was aware of her role. She entered the arena first on a litter decorated with feathers, carried by four shirtless men dressed as Egyptian slaves.

King told Sporting Witness, “Oh you’re a feminist, you probably won’t get on this Egyptian litter.”

Riggs followed on a rickshaw driven by women who wore “Sugar Daddy” t-shirts, a candy company’s name.

The two exchanged presents. Riggs gave King a giant lollipop with Sugar Daddy written on it. Riggs’ status as a “male chauvinist pig” is referenced in a king’s gift of a piglet.

I gave Robert Larimore Riggs, who is actually his name, the nickname, King said.

There were no adjustments made, unlike the Sabalenka and Kyrgios match. King and Riggs would play five sets of five sets on a standard court, which only the men do at the majors.

In such a boisterous environment, the first set would be crucial. Riggs was still a 55-year-old who had never competed professionally in a long time, no matter how innately talented he was.

However, King was the one who broke up early.

” I felt the first set was going to be major, psychologically, to him, so I had to win it. I basically gave it to him while playing horribly and making mistakes, King said.

If you don’t win this set, I said, “This is my moment of truth, and it could mean the difference between winning or losing.”

From 3-2 down, King broke back. The American, who claimed the day before he had “no nerves,” double-faulted at 5-4 after King had set point on the Riggs serve. King received the set.

A naturally aggressive player, King changed tactics against Riggs. Riggs was forced to run from corner to corner by her dictated play, which she did. According to one report, 70 of the 109 points she received were undisputedly positive.

King, leading 6-3 6-4, missed her first two match points. However, Riggs, who is now attempting to stay in the match, gave up once more. King received a third match point thanks to a double error at deuce when King was led by 5-3, and Riggs hit a header into the net to confirm her victory.

King threw her arms into the air in celebration, before embracing Riggs at the net. King was aware that she had championed and won women’s sport when she lifted the trophy.

“It’s always a relief to win.” I was so happy it was over, “King said.

Although you share your stage with everyone and want to give it the best performance, this had a lot going for it.

In the immediate aftermath, Riggs said he had underestimated King. She saved the point that I had lost in our exchanges, he said.

Later, it was claimed Riggs had purposefully halted the game in order to pay off his gambling debts to the Mafia.

Whatever the circumstances, King’s victory has stuck in the public mind. Nobody ever mentions the Battle of the Sexes to her in a day.

I first met President Obama in the Oval Office, and he said, “I watched that match when I was 12.” I have two daughters now and it made a difference in how I raise them'”, King said.

The women who witnessed it were empowered and confident in themselves.

And the men who approach me sometimes have tears in their eyes.

King and Riggs, who died in October 1995, stayed in touch afterwards, and he remained a sporting hero to her.

We kept in touch, and King said, “I had a great discussion with him the night before he passed away.”

He was finally aware that it was historical. I used to say to him it was about history, and he said no, it was about money.

He declared his love for me the following day, but he later passed away.

King won 39 Grand Slam titles, including singles, doubles, and mixed doubles, to conclude her career.