Robert Larimore “Bobby” Riggs (1918-1995)

     There are few names in tennis more iconic than Bobby Riggs, fewer still as charismatic.  Born in Los Angeles, Bobby quickly showed tennis prowess as he competed in the 13- and -unders in Southern California, with his first title coming at the La Jolla Community Center, before winning the U.S. Junior Championships in 1935.  Much more was to follow as he became the only person to win the Wimbledon singles, doubles and mixed on the first try in 1939. What made this trifecta all the more impressive was the fact that Bobby placed 100 British pounds on himself to win all three, and he came away with well over $100,000.  In 1940, he won the U.S. Men’s Indoor title in singles, doubles and mixed.  Riggs won the U.S. National Championships at Forest Hills in 1939 and 1941, prior to turning professional.  On the pro tour, Bobby won U.S. professional championships in 1946, 1947 and 1949 as well as several world titles.  When tennis became open to the pros in 1968, Riggs won the 45 and over senior championships on grass.  He moved to San Diego permanently in 1969, became an active member of the tennis community and continued to compete at the national level in singles and doubles in the 45s, 50s, 55s, 60s and 65s.  Riggs held most of the titles in each division. Sometimes referred to as the “Clown Prince of Tennis”, Bobby helped usher in a new era of tennis when in May, 1973, he decisively defeated Margaret Court at the San Diego Country Estates in the first of the “Battle of the Sexes” matches. This match was the precursor to his famous defeat at the hands of Billie Jean King several months later at the Houston Astrodome. Instantly, Bobby Riggs became a household name and America had a renewed interest in women’s tennis in particular, and sports in general. Prior to his passing of prostate cancer, Bobby had a vision of a foundation that would provide a home for tennis memorabilia with the proceeds going towards cancer prevention as well as the funding of educational scholarships.  That dream has been realized in the Bobby Riggs Tennis Museum at the tennis club that bears his name in Encinitas.