Bobby Riggs was a world champion tennis player in 1939 and retired from professional tennis in the 1950's. He boasted of his superior male attributes. He planned to prove men were better athletes; when he challenged a top female tennis on the professional circuit, Billie Jean King, in a dual on the tennis court.
The winner would walk away with a $100,000 winner-take-all prize. The match occurred in Sept. 20, 1973 at the Houston Astrodome and televised worldwide.
The 29 year old, Billie Jean King defeated the 55 year old, Bobby Riggs in straight sets 6-4, 6-3, 6-3.
This became one of the most talked about events in U.S. sports history and virtually ended Bobby Riggs' career.
At the time, women titlist made significantly less than men with the same professional ranking. After this win, Women Tennis Players began to earn more equatable pay for their winnings.
I watched it on TV. Billie Jean was great. Bobby wa a jerk.
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