Stuff You Should Know The Battle of the Sexes
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Feb 26, 2026 A dramatic 1973 tennis showdown is framed within 1970s feminism and the rise of women's professional tennis. The story covers prize money battles, the creation of a separate women's tour, and the formation of the WTA. It also follows a flamboyant challenger, the publicity spectacle at the Astrodome, and the match's cultural aftermath and legacy.
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Tennis Became A Spotlight For 1970s Feminism
- The early 1970s fused rising feminism with tennis growth, creating a unique platform for gender-equality battles.
- Title IX, Roe v. Wade momentum, and tripling U.S. tennis participation made tennis an ideal stage for equal-pay fights.
How The Original Nine Forced Pro Tennis To Change
- Billie Jean King and Gladys Heldman built an alternative pro circuit after the Pacific Southwest Open paid women $1,500 versus men $12,500.
- The "Original Nine" signed $1 contracts, landed Virginia Slims sponsorship, and forced the USLTA to merge with their events.
Collective Action Won Concrete Prize Money Gains
- The WTA used collective bargaining threats to win concrete gains like U.S. Open equal prize money.
- Billie Jean King led 63 players in 1973 to form the WTA and immediately threatened boycotts to secure parity.