A Stand for Equality
In 1970, professional tennis player Billie Jean King, alongside her manager Gladys Heldman, confronted promoter Jack Kramer regarding the prize disparity in an upcoming tennis tournament. Despite equal ticket sales, the top female prize remained one-eighth of the men’s earnings. King and Heldman demanded change, threatening to form their own tour if conditions remained unfair. However, Kramer dismissed their concerns, insisting that women’s tennis lacked the same caliber as men’s.
Determined to challenge the system, King, along with Julie Heldman, Valerie Ziegenfuss, Judy Dalton, Kristy Pigeon, Peaches Bartkowicz, Kerry Melville Reid, Nancy Richey, and Rosie Casals, established the “Original 9.” Their bold move marked the beginning of what would become the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Tour. As a consequence, Kramer and the U.S. Lawn Tennis Association banned them from participating in major tournaments, reinforcing the divide in professional tennis.
Struggles on and off the Court
As the women’s tour faced financial and logistical struggles, Billie Jean King’s personal life grew complicated. A romantic affair developed between her and Marilyn Barnett, her hairdresser, placing her marriage to Larry King in jeopardy. Torn between personal desires and professional responsibilities, King kept her relationship private, fearing the potential backlash.
Meanwhile, on the men’s circuit, former tennis champion Bobby Riggs found himself grappling with a different crisis. His marriage to Priscilla Whelan, a wealthy socialite, suffered under the weight of his gambling addiction. When his habits became impossible to conceal, particularly after winning a Rolls-Royce in a tennis bet, Priscilla demanded he leave their home.
Seeking a way back into the spotlight, Riggs devised a plan. Boasting that even at 55 years old, he could defeat any female tennis player, he publicly issued a challenge. His campaign for attention intensified, with the claim that women’s tennis paled in comparison to men’s.
The Challenge and the Match
By 1973, the Women’s Tennis Association had taken shape, steadily gaining legitimacy. However, Riggs continued pressing for a match against Billie Jean King. Initially resistant, King refused to indulge in what she saw as a spectacle designed to undermine women’s tennis. Instead, Margaret Court, who had recently claimed the No. 1 world ranking, accepted Riggs’s challenge in May 1973.
The match, later dubbed the “Mother’s Day Massacre,” saw Court suffer an unexpected defeat against Riggs. With newfound momentum, Riggs doubled down on his antics, taunting King and urging her to face him. Understanding the significance of the moment, King accepted, under the condition that she retained control over match arrangements.
Preparation and Confrontation
With the stakes higher than ever, King trained rigorously. In contrast, Riggs approached the match with a more relaxed attitude, confident in his ability to win. As the event gained media attention, Jack Kramer was selected as a game announcer, a decision King vehemently opposed. Threatening to withdraw unless he stepped down, she ultimately forced his removal from the broadcast team.
The highly publicized match took place in September 1973 at the Houston Astrodome, drawing an audience of over 90 million viewers worldwide. The event was staged with grand spectacle—King arrived carried by male attendants in a Cleopatra-style entrance, while Riggs played up his chauvinistic persona, presenting a piglet as a symbol of women’s tennis.
A Victory for Women’s Tennis
The match began with Riggs appearing confident, but King maintained her composure. After an initially slow start, she gained control of the game. Her superior conditioning and strategic play dismantled Riggs’s approach. In straight sets, King emerged victorious, proving her ability and altering the perception of women’s tennis.
The outcome of the match had lasting implications. Women’s tennis gained newfound respect, and the fight for equal prize money gained traction. The event not only showcased King’s athleticism but also cemented her as a champion for gender equality in sports.
Lives Beyond the Court
Years after the historic match, Billie Jean King made significant changes in her personal life. In the 1980s, she divorced her husband, Larry King, and officially retired from professional tennis in 1990. She later embraced a long-term same-sex relationship, becoming an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights.
Bobby Riggs, despite his loss, remained in good spirits. He eventually reconciled with Priscilla Whelan, though his love for gambling never wavered. His bold challenge and the resulting match remained one of the most iconic moments in sports history, leaving an undeniable impact on gender equality in athletics.