Bobby Riggs, a tennis legend, is often most famously known for his loss to Billie Jean King in the iconic 1973 match, Bobby Riggs vs. Billie Jean King: Tennis Battle of the Sexes, held at the renowned Houston Astrodome.
However, what is frequently overlooked is that Bobby Riggs was, at one time, the Number One tennis player in the world, having held this prestigious title in the past, and a former Wimbledon and United States champion.
It is worth noting that Riggs was reputed to have placed a bet on himself to win the Singles, Men's Doubles, and Mixed Doubles in the 1939 Wimbledon, with the potential prize being a substantial $108,000. While the veracity of this claim remains uncertain, what is undoubtedly true is that Riggs did, in fact, win all three titles at Wimbledon in 1939, making him one of the rare few players to have achieved this impressive triple.
Riggs began his professional tennis career in the early 1940s and eventually rose to the top of the tennis world by defeating Don Budge 23 matches to 21 in 1946. He retained this Number One ranking until he was decisively defeated by Jack Kramer in the tour of 1947-1948, with Kramer emerging victorious by a score of 69 matches to 20.
Bobby Riggs, a tennis legend, is often most famously known for his loss to Billie Jean King in the iconic 1973 match, Bobby Riggs vs. Billie Jean King: Tennis Battle of the Sexes, held at the renowned Houston Astrodome.
However, what is frequently overlooked is that Bobby Riggs was, at one time, the Number One tennis player in the world, having held this prestigious title in the past, and a former Wimbledon and United States champion.
It is worth noting that Riggs was reputed to have placed a bet on himself to win the Singles, Men's Doubles, and Mixed Doubles in the 1939 Wimbledon, with the potential prize being a substantial $108,000. While the veracity of this claim remains uncertain, what is undoubtedly true is that Riggs did, in fact, win all three titles at Wimbledon in 1939, making him one of the rare few players to have achieved this impressive triple.
Riggs began his professional tennis career in the early 1940s and eventually rose to the top of the tennis world by defeating Don Budge 23 matches to 21 in 1946. He retained this Number One ranking until he was decisively defeated by Jack Kramer in the tour of 1947-1948, with Kramer emerging victorious by a score of 69 matches to 20.
Riggs became a professional tennis player in the early 1940s and rose to the top of the tennis world by defeating Don Budge 23 matches to 21 in 1946.
