Bobby Riggs(1918-1995)
- Actor
Bobby Riggs was probably most famous for losing to Billie Jean King in
the famous Bobby Riggs vs. Billie Jean King: Tennis Battle of the Sexes (1973), held at the Houston
Astrodome. What is often forgotten is that Bobby Riggs was at one time
the Number One tennis player in the world and a former Wimbledon and
United States champion. He was reputed to have bet on himself to win the
Singles, Men's Doubles, and Mixed Doubles in the 1939 Wimbledon. The
story goes that if he won all three titles that he would win $108,000. It
is the part of the Rigg's mythology and may or may not be true. What is
definitely true is that he did win the Singles, Men's Doubles, and Mixed
Doubles at Wimbledon in 1939, making him one of the few players to ever
complete this prestigious triple.
Riggs became a pro in the early 1940s and became the number one player in the world by defeating Don Budge 23 matches to 21 in 1946. Riggs remained Number One until he was decisively defeated by Jack Kramer in the tour of 1947-1948 by a score of 69 matches to 20.
Riggs became a pro in the early 1940s and became the number one player in the world by defeating Don Budge 23 matches to 21 in 1946. Riggs remained Number One until he was decisively defeated by Jack Kramer in the tour of 1947-1948 by a score of 69 matches to 20.
