On This Day

Bobby Riggs

Tennis Player and Three-Time Major Champion Bobby Riggs

Full Name: Robert Riggs
Profession: Tennis Player and Three-Time Major Champion

Nationality:
United States of America
American

Biography: The World No. 1 for three years, he won three major tournaments.

Riggs is best known though for competing against Billie Jean King in "The Battle of the Sexes" match.

Born: February 25, 1918
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, USA

Generation: Greatest Generation
Chinese Zodiac: Horse
Star Sign: Pisces

Died: October 25, 1995 (aged 77)
Cause of Death: Prostate cancer

Historical Events

  • 1939-06-17 French Championships Men's Tennis: American collegiate champion Don McNeill beats countryman Bobby Riggs 7-5, 6-0, 6-3
  • 1939-07-07 Wimbledon Men's Tennis: Bobby Riggs beats fellow American Elwood Cooke 2-6, 8-6, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 for Wimbledon sweep, also won doubles & mixed doubles titles
  • 1939-09-17 US National Championship Men's Tennis, Forest Hills, NY: Reigning Wimbledon champion Bobby Riggs beats fellow American Welby van Horn 6-4, 6-2, 6-4
  • 1940-09-09 US National Championship Men's Tennis, Forest Hills, NY: Donald McNeill beats fellow American Bobby Riggs 4-6, 6-8, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5 for his second major singles title
  • 1941-09-07 US National Championship Men's Tennis, Forest Hills, NY: 1939 champion Bobby Riggs beats Frank Kovacs 5-7, 6-1, 6-3, 6-3
  • 1941-11-26 Amateur American tennis stars Bobby Riggs and Frank Kovacs turn professional after being suspended by the US Lawn Tennis Association for undisclosed financial gain
  • 1973-05-13 Bobby Riggs beats Margaret Smith Court in Mother's Day match in California
  • 1973-09-20 Billie Jean King beats Bobby Riggs in battle-of-sexes tennis match

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