Billie Jean King and Battle of the Sexes Honored at Legends Ball
Hall of Famer Billie Jean King and her bold Battle of the Sexes match victory 50 years were celebrated at the 2023 Legends Ball presented by BNP Paribas on Saturday in New York City.
King was honored just hours after newly minted US Open women’s singles champion Coco Gauff thanked the pioneer for her efforts in pursuing equal pay on the Grand Slam stage. The milestone equal prize money at the US Open, also celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, occurred just weeks before King defeated Hall of Famer Bobby Riggs in the Battle of the Sexes match, viewed by over 90 million worldwide.
Following inspiring words from Hall of Famer Pam Shriver and past President of the USTA Katrina Adams, King and Hall of Famer Tracy Austin took to the stage to relive the Battle of the Sexes, King’s fight for equality, and much more.
“The Battle of the Sexes meant a lot to me because I knew the significance it had, and I knew that it was about social change,” stated King. “It wasn't about tennis. Women couldn't get a credit card on our own. Title IX had just been passed the year before, and I fought hard for Title IX. There was so much riding on this match about social change and our tour and our sport.”
In 1973, King accepted a challenge from Hall of Famer and former men’s world No. 1 Bobby Riggs to compete in a televised match. Riggs, a self-described “male chauvinist”, claimed that even he, at age 55, could defeat any player at the top of the women’s game.
The match was held September 20 at the Houston Astrodome, with King defeating Riggs 6-4, 6-3, 6-3.
By accepting Riggs’ challenge, King propelled the fight for equality in women’s sports to a global audience while putting a spotlight on the newly formed WTA.
With tennis legends and the sport’s biggest supporters in a sold-out audience, Legends Ball recalled the year 1973, showcasing headlines and sights and sounds of the time. Memorabilia fom the ITHF’s museum collection, including Riggs’ Sugar Daddy jacket, King’s blue Adidas shoes, and more items from the match, were on display for guests to view.
King closed her remarks refocusing on her purpose to educate the next generation, and the role the ITHF plays in sharing and celebrating tennis history.
“How are they going to shape the world if they don't know the past?” commented King.
“That’s up to us to influence and teach them why the path is so important, how we pass the baton to each generation. I think there's really an amazing future to what the International Hall of Fame can do.”
