The ghost of Bobby Riggs re-appeared last week. He dropped by the set of the Jimmy Kimmel Show on Wednesday embedded within the body of tennis legend John McEnroe.
Kimmel asked McEnroe, the former brat of Wimbledon’s “Centre Court” (and elsewhere), whether he could beat the current top women’s player in the world, Serena Williams. After describing Williams as the greatest women’s tennis player ever, he opened the door to a prime-time matchup.
“I think it’s mixed,” McEnroe said. “(My daughters) think I’d probably lose to Serena. I believe I could still take her.”
In the words of a younger John McEnroe: “Are you serious?”
If Serena is willing, it would be entertaining and headline grabbing, especially if she completes this year’s Grand Slam with a victory next month at the U.S. Open. No woman has done that since Steffi Graf in 1988.
Riggs, who died in 1995, again became a household name in 1973 when he pulled a similar stunt. The top men’s player in the world in the early 1940s was dismissive of the women’s game in the ’70s.
He challenged Billie Jean King, one of the top players in the world and 26 years younger than Riggs, who was 55 in 1973. King declined.
The world’s top women’s player, 28-year-old Margaret Court of Australia, took the challenge. On Mother’s Day, Riggs and Court played a best of three-set match in the tiny community of Ramona, Calif., in rural San Diego County.
Riggs v. Court drew a ho-hum response, especially when Riggs won easily in straight sets. King was paying attention as Riggs continued to taunt female players. She decided to take him on.
On Sept. 20, 1973 one of the sport’s most anticipated matches took place in the Houston Astrodome before a national television audience. King turned the tables on Riggs and defeated him in three straight sets.
No doubt one of the reasons King initially refused was the realization she had little to gain and more to lose. Even if she won, beating a man nearly twice her age with no power was something most expected. Explaining Court’s loss four months before was even more difficult.
For those either not around or were somehow unaware at the time, it is difficult to describe the hoopla that surrounded the “Battle of the Sexes.” Following King’s victory, women’s tennis increased in popularity with King and rising stars such as Chris Evert.
Already a 10-time major tournament singles champion and the reigning Wimbledon title holder, King’s fame (and fortune) rose. After a relatively quiet retirement, Riggs was relevant again, albeit briefly.
McEnroe has played on the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) Champions Tour in recent years with other former top players. He is better known as a commentator and the pitch man for Jublia, the product that fights toenail fungus.
McEnroe, 56, is one year older than Riggs when the latter returned to center stage in 1973. Williams would be 34 should any challenge occur this year. It would be highly entertaining to see McEnroe returning the power serve of Williams, who can still send it over the net at 125 mph.
Could such a match happen? McEnroe revealed the subject has been broached to both Serena and McEnroe.
The potential match maker is, of course, Donald Trump. If anyone can make it happen, it’s him.
No word yet on whether Trump envisions the match venue as the South Lawn of the White House.
