Billie Jean King, Battle of the Sexes triumph 50 years ago brought equality to women's sports

Fifty years ago, Billie Jean King fought for equality in women's sports in front of a global audience.

Through Battle of the Sexes, she also brought a spotlight to the newly formed Women's Tennis Association (WTA), which was further celebrated at the 2023 U.S. Open.

This year's U.S. Open, which crowned Coco Gauff and Novak Djokovic as champions, was also a celebration of 50 years of equal prize money at the Grand Slam in New York. The two winners took home $3 million apiece.

“The Battle of the Sexes gave women’s tennis, and women athletes, an unprecedented global platform,” King told the International Tennis Hall of Fame (ITHOF). “I am proud of the match’s lasting impact in establishing respect and providing opportunities for women in sports and beyond."

King was honored at the Legends Ball after the U.S. Open women's final on Sept. 9 held in New York City. At the celebration, numerous artifacts from the historic match were displayed.

The iconic items displayed year-long at the ITHOF's museum collection, included King's match shoes, Riggs' Sugar Daddy jacket, racquets and other memorabilia.

Who won out of Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs?

Billie Jean King defeated Bobby Riggs 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 in 1973, in front of a crowd of over 30,000 at the Houston Astrodome.

What was the Battle of the Sexes in tennis?

King accepted a challenge from Hall of Famer and former men’s world No. 1 Bobby Riggs to compete in a televised match in 1973.

Riggs, a self-proclaimed “male chauvinist,” said that even at age 55, he could beat any player at the top of the women’s tennis game.

In the match, King fought for equality in women's sports while putting the newly formed WTA on the map. It is the most-watched tennis match of all time to date.

When did Billie Jean King beat Bobby Riggs?

The match was held on Sept. 20, 1973.

Was the match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs fixed?

Both Riggs and King were given equal opportunity in the match and it was fairly played out.

The match featured a $100,000 winner-take-all purse.

Was Billie Jean King friends with Bobby Riggs?

While many thought Riggs and King were enemies, they were actually friends.

"[Battle of the Sexes] was about much more than tennis," King once said. "It was a great day to celebrate equality. As for Bobby and me, many thought we were bitter enemies. The truth was we were friends. I'm thinking about you today on your birthday Bobby and I'll be thinking about you again in September. Love you."

What impact did the Battle of the Sexes have?

King's victory, along with the passage of Title IX, is often credited for encouraging a significant increase in women's sports participation and for empowering women to advocate for equal pay in all areas of the workforce.