What Happened On September 20th?
On September 20, 1973, Houston’s Astrodome hosted a cultural clash that went beyond tennis. Over 30,000 fans packed the stadium, while 90 million more watched from home. They anticipated the “Battle of the Sexes” between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs. The match challenged long-held beliefs about women’s capabilities in competition. King, a 29-year-old six-time Wimbledon champion, faced Riggs, a 55-year-old former champion who had boasted that women’s tennis was inferior and that he could easily beat any top female player.
King arrived at the stadium with a clear focus on winning. Wearing a bold blue-and-green outfit designed by Ted Tinling, she captured attention, but her thoughts stayed on the match. Riggs made an over-the-top entrance, carried in a rickshaw by scantily clad women dressed as Cleopatra’s servants. He originally planned to arrive on horseback, but changed to a flashier display. Riggs embraced his self-proclaimed chauvinistic image, but while he performed for the crowd, King remained locked in, ready to win the match.
King controlled the match from the very first serve. Riggs, who had embarrassed Margaret Court earlier in the year with his “junk-ball” style—soft lobs and tricky shots—relied on the same strategy. King had studied his game closely and refused to play into his hands. She forced him to chase the ball from side to side, making him work harder than he expected. She dominated both physically and mentally, while Riggs tried and failed to distract her with his antics.
King took the first set by controlling every point. She kept Riggs on the defensive, tiring him out as the set progressed. The crowd, unsure of whether they were watching a serious match or a sideshow, soon saw King breaking down Riggs’ game with precision. She won the first set 6-4 by staying patient and sharp in her execution. Her strong mental game allowed her to outthink him despite the physical strain.
In the second set, King continued to dominate. Riggs grew visibly tired and began to miss easy shots. King stayed aggressive, returning every lob with precision and forcing him further into a defensive stance. Before the match, King had worked with her doubles partner, Rosie Casals, who had offered key insights into Riggs’ weaknesses. King executed their plan perfectly, capturing the second set 6-3 and putting Riggs in a difficult position.
By the third set, King completely controlled the match. Riggs, drained of energy, struggled to keep up with King’s pace. His legs, once swift, failed him as he made error after error. King never let up, maintaining her focus and pushing Riggs to his breaking point. When she won the third set 6-3, the stadium erupted in cheers. King’s victory dismantled Riggs’ game and shattered his dismissive claims about women’s abilities in sports.
In the weeks before the match, King faced immense pressure. Riggs had already humiliated Court, and another loss for women’s tennis would have dealt a blow to its credibility. King accepted the challenge because she understood the stakes. She knew her victory would resonate far beyond the tennis court. For her, losing was simply not an option.
King trained rigorously, preparing herself for everything Riggs might try. While Riggs boasted and placed bets, King stayed focused on refining her strategy. She studied his game, making sure she was ready for every trick he could use. Riggs underestimated her determination and ability to outthink him, and that underestimation cost him dearly.
The crowd’s reaction to King’s performance showed just how deeply the match had resonated. Though the media framed it as a battle between men and women, many male spectators came out in support of King. Men wore “Billie Beat Bobby” buttons, showing that they respected her fight for equality. As King won point after point, the energy in the stadium grew stronger.
After the match, Riggs, who had spent months ridiculing women’s tennis and declaring his superiority, responded differently than many expected. Instead of making excuses, he admitted that King had outplayed him. He showed an unexpected humility after the defeat. What many didn’t know was that Riggs had bet heavily on himself, losing not just the match but also a significant amount of money. His financial losses added another layer to his embarrassment, but he handled the defeat better than most had anticipated.
King entered the match with a clear plan, both physically and mentally. She refused to let Riggs’ antics or the media hype throw her off balance. While Riggs treated the match like a spectacle, King saw it as a battle that she needed to win. She carefully managed her media appearances, balancing them with intense training and mental preparation. She understood that this wasn’t just about tennis—it was about proving something larger for women in sports.
Riggs made a critical mistake by underestimating King’s resolve. He assumed that his experience would carry him to victory, but he failed to recognize King’s mental toughness. During the second set, panic began to spread among Riggs’ supporters as they saw his confidence unravel. His financial losses added to the weight of his defeat, as the bets he had placed on himself turned into liabilities.
