THE ICONIC EVENT took place on September 20 1973 as Billie Jean King faced Bobby Riggs in the famous Battle of the Sexes.
A 3-time Grand Slam winner between 1939 and 1941, Riggs was 55 years old when he beat Margaret Court – then the best female tennis star in the world – in a two-set match in May 1973. The event was organised after Riggs claimed the women’s game was far inferior and that, even being well past his prime, he could still beat a top player.
Riggs had initially wanted to play Billie Jean King but she turned down the offer. However, following Court’s loss, she changed her mind and agreed to play him in a three-set match in Houston.
King subsequently beat Riggs 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 and claimed the $100,000 prize.
Cameras have began rolling on Battle of the Sexes, a Hollywood film that covers the story. It stars Emma Stone as King and Steve Carell as Riggs and will be released next year.
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