Battle of the Sexes: Billie Jean King defeats Bobby Riggs in a match that defined an era

Immediately afterwards, Riggs said he underestimated King. “Every time I think I’ve won a point in our exchange, she saves it,” he said.

Later, there were accusations that Riggs intentionally threw the game, external To pay off his gambling debt to the Mafia.

Whatever the case may be, King’s victory is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. The battle of the sexes is brought up to her every day.

“When I first met President Obama in the Oval Office, he said ‘I watched that game when I was 12 years old. I have two daughters now and it had an impact on the way I raised them,'” King said.

“Women who see it, it empowers them and gives them confidence.

“These men came up to me and they were very emotional – sometimes they had tears in their eyes.”

King and Riggs, who died in October 1995, have stayed in touch since and he remains her sports hero.

“We stayed in touch and I had a great discussion with him the night before he died,” King said.

“He finally understood that this is about history. I once said to him this is about history and he said no, this is about money.”

“He told me he loved me and the next day he died.”

Kim ended her career with 39 Grand Slam titles in singles, doubles and mixed doubles.

But she is also remembered for her fight for equality in sports, and defeating Riggs was a key part of that.