Bobby Riggs
This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (October 2014) Bobby Riggs Full name Robert Larimore Riggs Country  United States Born (1918-02-25)February 25, 1918 Los Angeles Died October 25, 1995(1995-10-25) (aged 77) Encinitas, California Height 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) Turned pro 1941 (amateur tour from 1933) Retired 1959 Plays Right-handed (1-handed backhand) Int. Tennis HOF 1967 (member page) Singles Highest ranking No. 1 (1939, Gordon Lowe) Grand Slam Singles results French Open F (1939) Wimbledon W (1939) US Open W (1939, 1941) Professional majors US Pro W (1946, 1947, 1949) Wembley Pro F (1949) Doubles Highest ranking No. 1 (1942, Ray Bowers) Grand Slam Doubles results Wimbledon W (1939) Grand Slam Mixed Doubles results Wimbledon W (1939) US Open W (1940) Robert Larimore "Bobby" Riggs (February 25, 1918 – October 25, 1995) was an American tennis player who was the World No. 1 or the World co-No. 1 player for three years, first as an amateur in 1939, then as a professional in 1946 and 1947. He played his first professional tennis match on December 26, 1941. At the age of 55 he competed in a challenge match against Billie Jean King, one of the top female players in the world. "The Battle of the Sexes" match was one of the most famous tennis events of all time, with a $100,000 winner-take-all prize.