Editor’s Note: Our own Jack Petro took on Bobby Riggs in table tennis in 1966 in Cleveland, Ohio. “Bobby let me win the first game, then trashed me on the second and third,” Petro said.
By 1939 professional tennis player Bobby Riggs had won the Wimbledon and three U.S. professional titles.
The problem with Bobby is that he could not leave well enough alone. At 55 years of age his bad habits of gambling and braggadocio led him to goad rising female star Billie Jean King into a match.
The proceedings from the match would go to the winner. Riggs placed a side bet of $15,000 on himself.
The thought of a male vs. female grudge tennis match drew national attention. A sellout crowd at the Houston Astrodome plus millions on TV watched.
Emma Stone is the splitting image of BJK. Her performance is stellar and is a sure Oscar nomination candidate. Steve Carrell is also a masterful choice.
In case you do not remember how the match turned out…well I’m not telling. You have to see the highly entertaining “Battle of the Sexes” at the Rialto Theater in The Villages.
Other than too much time covering King’s bi-sexual proclivity, this is fine entertainment and gets a rare A grade from me.
Jack Petro reviews movies for Villages-News.com
