"This is just getting started, we're so far behind" - Billie Jean King makes strong statement about gender equality in sports
On 20 September 1973, female tennis icon Billie Jean King triumphed over former World No.1 male tennis player Bobby Riggs in a highly-anticipated Battle of the Sexes match. Five decades after the match, King believes that the world still has a long way to go before we move towards gender equality.
Played in Houston, Texas before a record audience, the match was much more than just a game — it was a representation of gender roles and the struggle for gender equality. More than 30,000 spectators filled the Houston Astrodome for the match, while an estimated 90 million people around the world tuned in to watch the event unfold.
Before the match, Bobby Riggs positioned himself as the poster child of a patriarchal culture, denying the value of women in sports and in life. At the age of fifty-five, the former Wimbledon and U.S. champion was incredibly chauvinistic and bragged about his masculinity. He brazenly declared his superiority over women and presented himself as the epitome of traditional gender roles.
Recently, during an Q&A at Seton Hall University on "Equity, Influence and the Next Generation in Sports," King was asked if women’s sports had come close to achieving absolute equality with men’s. The former World No.1 responded that, while gender equality in sports is yet to be achieved, progress is being made towards that goal.
“No, we’re not even starting. This is just getting started. We’re so far behind,” replied King.
During the "Battle of the Sexes" match, Billie Jean King, who has already achieved a plethora of accolades in her career, took on Riggs to demonstrate that women are just as capable as men both on and off the court.
At the time, the 29-year-old King, recently crowned Wimbledon champion, had rightfully earned the respect and admiration of tennis fans of all genders. She took the game with a score of 6-4, 6-3, 6-3. Her ascent up the tennis ladder was a testament to King's tenacity and proficiency, the same qualities she used to shatter barriers both on the court and in society.
King's historic victory at the "Battle of the Sexes" shattered the silence surrounding gender issues, raising awareness and sparking dialog. To this day, the match is remembered as a pivotal moment in the struggle for women's rights and the acknowledgement of their worth in all aspects of life.
Billie Jean King will join the star-studded lineup at the Know Your Value and Forbes 30/50 Summit
Billie Jean King is set to join the illustrious lineup at the Know Your Value and Forbes 30/50 Summit in Abu Dhabi this March. This star-studded event will bring together some of the most influential and inspiring female figures in the world to discuss the importance of self-worth and the power of female leadership.
King will join the esteemed ranks of Hillary Clinton, Malala Yousafzai, Catherine O'Hara, and more. This summit is a remarkable opportunity to honor the achievements of women from all corners of the globe and empower them to reach their highest potential. It is a chance to come together and celebrate the progress that has been made in the fight for gender equality and to inspire the next generation of female leaders.
With her decades of experience in the sports industry, Billie Jean King is sure to bring a unique and invaluable perspective to the summit.