Tennis legend Billie Jean King says today’s version of the Battle of the Sexes is very different from the match that made her famous more than 50 years ago.
King was speaking ahead of the upcoming exhibition match between Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios, which has been promoted under the same name as her historic 1973 clash with Bobby Riggs. While the title may sound familiar, King believes the meaning behind it is not the same.
A different time, a different purpose
In 1973, King beat Riggs in a match that became much bigger than tennis. At the time, women were fighting for equal respect, equal pay, and equal opportunities in sport. Her victory helped change public opinion and played a role in pushing women’s tennis forward.
“That match was about social change,” King said. “This one is not.”
She explained that her match came at a moment when women were struggling to be taken seriously in professional sport. Winning on such a big stage sent a powerful message far beyond the tennis court.
Entertainment, not a statement
The upcoming Sabalenka-Kyrgios match is being promoted as entertainment rather than a statement about equality. King says the only thing the two matches have in common is that one player is a man and the other is a woman.
She added that she hopes it’s an enjoyable match and even backed Sabalenka to win, but stressed that the cultural importance simply isn’t the same as it was in the 1970s.
Women’s tennis doesn’t need proving
King also made it clear that women’s tennis does not need to prove itself against men. She believes the women’s game stands strong on its own and should be celebrated for its quality, competitiveness, and star power.
Some fans have welcomed the exhibition match as fun and exciting, while others worry it could send the wrong message. Sabalenka has said she sees it as a chance to entertain fans and showcase tennis in a different way.
A lasting legacy
King’s original Battle of the Sexes remains one of the most important moments in sports history. It wasn’t just about winning a match it was about opening doors and changing attitudes.
While the name may live on, King believes the meaning behind it belongs to a very specific moment in time one that helped shape the future of women’s sport.