Half a century ago, two tennis titans faced off on the court at the Houston Astrodome, a showdown that would forever alter the landscape of women’s tennis. The legendary match between Bobby Riggs and Billie Jean King, famously dubbed the “Battle of the Sexes,” emerged as a pivotal moment in advocating for gender equality and pay parity in sports.
This clash was ignited against the backdrop of the push for equal pay for female athletes in the US Open. In 1973, the US Open became the first Grand Slam tennis tournament to bridge the wage gap between male and female players. However, despite the significant progress achieved through this milestone, Billie Jean King, a trailblazer in women’s sports and the triumphant victor of the Battle of the Sexes half a century ago, acknowledges that the journey is far from over.
As she addressed the 2023 US Open in New York City to commemorate the anniversary, King stated, “We’re here to celebrate a moment 50 years ago that changed our sport and all sports forever – equal prize money at the US Open.” She recognized the enduring impact of their movement: “This journey to equality was not an easy one – or a quick one. We have set the standard for so many other sports, especially women’s sports, and that is one of the reasons women’s tennis is the leader in women’s sports. While we celebrate today, our work is far from done.”
The breakthrough at the 1973 US Open came after a period where male players earned nearly eight times more than their female counterparts. Billie Jean King’s victory at the Grand Slam in 1972 marked a pivotal moment, as she advocated for closing the gender pay gap by threatening not to participate in the following year’s tournament. The solidarity of fellow female players and their united stand prompted the US Tennis Association to make history in 1973 by awarding equal prize money to both men and women.
Michelle Obama, addressing the 2023 US Open event, paid tribute to Billie Jean King’s impactful advocacy half a century ago. Obama remarked, “Billie Jean had a choice. She could put her head down, keep winning tournament after tournament, and just accept whatever cheque she was given… Or she could dig deep and break the serve. She could make a stand. Let us remember that all of this is far bigger than a champion’s pay cheque. This is about how women are seen and valued in this world.”
In the aftermath of the 1973 US Open, former world number one Bobby Riggs, known for his demeaning comments about women’s tennis, challenged Billie Jean King to a match, provoking the Battle of the Sexes. Riggs’ sexist remarks, including belittling women’s place in society, further underscored the need for change. King demonstrated grace and resilience throughout the lead-up to the match. On September 20, 1973, she emerged victorious against Bobby Riggs, triumphing in straight sets: 6-4, 6-3, 6-3.
Recalling the encounter, King shared in a recent interview with Good Morning America (GMA), “When we got to the net after the match, he said, ‘I underestimated you.’ And I couldn’t wait to see my dad because he always told my brother and me… ‘Always respect your opponent, even if you don’t like them.’ I really respected Bobby.”
The five decades since the Battle of the Sexes and the subsequent pay parity achievement at the US Open have witnessed significant changes in women’s sports. However, events like the FIFA Women’s World Cup, co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, continue to underscore the ongoing journey toward gender equality.
Billie Jean King reflected on this trajectory during her appearance on GMA: “We’re now at a tipping point where people are investing in us and believing in us because they think we’re going to make money. We have to keep working harder and harder because we have a long way to go.”
