riggs, bobby

"Most of the time sports are seen as the height of competition, but often they also bring people together in times of cultural, social, and political upheaval. 'Billie Jean King vs. Bobby Riggs' explores the way the famous Battle of the Sexes tennis match served to bring men and women together to advocate for equal rights across genders. Includes ties to 21st Century themes, as well as infographics, timelines, glossary, and index"--Provided by publisher.

In 1973 two of the world's most famous tennis stars took part in what became known as the "Battle of the Sexes." Bobby Riggs embraced the idea that men were superior to women in every way and claimed that he would defeat any woman on the tennis court. Meanwhile, Billie Jean King was determined to beat him. She knew she could win and prove that women were as just good as men. Readers will get a courtside seat and watch as Billie Jean King proves that women and girls everywhere deserve respect and equality at one of the most important moments in sports history.

The author examines the 1973 tennis match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs while focusing on the prejudice within American culture, and discusses the women's rights movement and Title IX as well as the evolution of women's sports since the 1970s.