What were the rules of play at the Bobby Riggs vs Billy Jean King tennis match?

Answer 1

The "Battle of the Sexes" started with Bobby Riggs taunting female tennis players that they weren't as good as men in the 1970's, when the so-called "women's liberation movement" had reached its peak. Seeing an opportunity to make money, Bobby challenged Billie Jean King to a regulation tennis match in a first-of-its-kind, worldwide television broadcast. Spectators were split in their feelings about the match, with most men siding with the chauvinstic Bobby, while most women sided with Billie, and most agreeing that it was a lopsided match since Bobby was in his 50's and retired, while Billie was still a touring pro in her 20's. The 3-out-of-5 set match (n.b., normally, women play only 2-out-of-3 sets) was won in 3 sets by Billie Jean King. The win galvanized the women's movement, especially within the tennis circuit, as Billie had proven that women (eventually) earned the right to be treated and paid as equals to the men, although many believe that "equitable" would have been better, since most professional women's tennis tournaments still play only 2-out-3-sets, while the men play 3-out-of-5. Today, the concept of a "Battle of the Sexes" would not have as much meaning or spectator interest, though they are still held as exhibitions, usually for charitable causes.

Answer 2

Riggs got one serve --- King got two.

Riggs hit to the singles court --- King hit to the doubles court.