Billy Jean King Did Not Just Change Tennis, She Challenged Sexism

In 1973, a tennis match caught the world’s attention for reasons much bigger than sport. When Billie Jean King stepped onto the court to play Bobby Riggs, it was not just about winning a trophy. It was about respect. It was about proving that women athletes deserved to be taken seriously.

At that time, many people believed women’s sports were not as important or as exciting as men’s. Bobby Riggs openly said that even at his age, he could easily beat the top women players. His words were not just playful teasing. They reflected a mindset that looked down on women’s talent.

Billie Jean King took it as a challenge. She understood that this match carried weight; if she lost, it would feed into old ideas that women were not strong or skilled enough. If she won, it would send a message far beyond the tennis court.

Battle of the Sexes

Media, called this match the "Battle of Sexes", Bobby Riggs, who was the number one player at the time and had won six grandslams said 'He could defeat any woman', and the match on 20th September 1973 proved him wrong, as he challenged Billie Jean King, ninety million people, all over the world in thirty seven countries watched it.

King defeated him in the match, and set an example that misogyny can not be accepted anywhere, even not in sports, which was considered otherwise.

Who Was Billie Jean King

Billie Jean King, born on November 22, 1943, is a former world No. 1 American tennis player who won 39 Grand Slam titles across singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. She also helped the United States win several major team events during her career.

She founded the Women’s Tennis Association and the Women’s Sports Foundation to support women in sports. Over the years, she has received many top honours, and major tennis events and stadiums have been renamed in her honour.

Today, when we talk about equality, we build on moments like this. They remind us that challenging unfair ideas is not about anger alone. It is about action. It is about showing up and doing the work. The match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs was not simply a sports event. It was a turning point against all the odds. It showed that changing history does not always require grand speeches. Sometimes it happens on a court, with a racket in hand, when someone refuses to accept limits placed on them.

Views expressed by the author are their own.