Bobby Riggs Quotes

Powerful Bobby Riggs for Daily Growth

About Bobby Riggs

Robert "Bobby" Jeffrey Riggs, born on March 25, 1918, in Long Beach, California, was an American tennis player, hustler, and sports promoter, best known for his high-profile matches against top female players in the 1970s. Riggs grew up playing tennis in Pasadena and won the National Junior Championship in 1936 at the age of 18. He went on to become a Wimbledon finalist in 1939, but his professional career was cut short due to World War II service. Upon returning from the war, Riggs' career declined as he battled alcoholism and personal issues. In 1970, Riggs staged an unofficial match against former women's world No. 1 Margaret Court, which he won, igniting a wave of publicity. This was followed by the "Battle of the Sexes" match in 1973, where he faced off against Billie Jean King, a 29-year-old feminist icon. Despite losing to King, Riggs' antics and bravado made the match a cultural phenomenon. Riggs' influence extends beyond tennis. He is credited with popularizing the tennis hustler culture, where professional players would play exhibition matches for money. His life story has been dramatized in films and documentaries, most notably in "Battle of the Sexes" (2017), starring Steve Carell as Riggs. Post his tennis career, Riggs continued to promote sports events, often with controversial results. He died on October 25, 1995, leaving behind a legacy that transcended tennis courts and became a symbol of gender politics in the 20th century. His quotes, such as "I'd like to see her (King) try to beat me once before she starts talking," remain iconic today.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"I'm back, baby!"

This quote, spoken by Bobby Riggs, a renowned tennis player, suggests that he is returning or resuming an activity after a hiatus. The use of "baby" implies familiarity or friendliness with the audience, as it was a term used casually during his time. It also conveys enthusiasm and readiness to compete again, emphasizing his confidence in his abilities.

"It's just a game, after all."

Bobby Riggs' quote, "It's just a game, after all," emphasizes that sport should not be taken too seriously; it is merely entertainment, designed for enjoyment rather than life-or-death matters. It encourages sportsmanship, camaraderie, and the understanding that competition can bring people together while reminding us to maintain perspective in our pursuit of victory.

"I have respect for her as a person and player."

This quote by Bobby Riggs suggests that he holds Billie Jean King, his tennis opponent in the historic "Battle of the Sexes" match, in high regard both as an individual and as a skilled athlete. Respect for her person indicates appreciation for King's character traits, qualities, or integrity, while respecting her as a player acknowledges her abilities on the court. This statement underscores a level of mutual understanding, sportsmanship, and professional admiration between two competitors.

"I can take any woman in the world, in any sport."

This quote by Bobby Riggs suggests an overconfident attitude, implying that he believes his skill level is so high that he could defeat any female competitor across any sport. It reflects a lack of respect for women's athletic abilities and reinforces outdated gender stereotypes, demonstrating arrogance rather than true sportsmanship.

"I've won more matches against more women than Billie Jean King has ever won!"

This quote by Bobby Riggs, a retired American tennis player, reflects his competitive spirit and self-confidence, as well as the gender divide in professional sports during his time. Riggs is boasting that he has more career wins against women than Billie Jean King, one of the most successful female tennis players, ever had, which was seen as a challenge to women's athletic abilities and a controversial statement given the ongoing fight for gender equality in sports.

I once played amateur tournament tennis six months without double-faulting.

- Bobby Riggs

Six, Once, Months, Amateur

Billie Jean King is one of the all-time tennis greats; she's one of the superstars. She's ready for the big one, but she doesn't stand a chance against me. Women's tennis is so far beneath men's tennis; that's what makes the contest with a 55-year-old man the greatest contest of all time.

- Bobby Riggs

Big, Against, Big One, Contest

I know beating a woman isn't like winning seven gold medals. But how many old guys are there in the world? You think they can relate to Mark Spitz? They relate to me, Bobby Riggs.

- Bobby Riggs

Woman, Think, Medals, Beating

Senior tennis is like the younger game in slow motion. It is much more of a backcourt game. The player who had a big game in his prime finds it harder to play that same game as a senior. But any senior who could lob well when he was young can still hit a good lob.

- Bobby Riggs

Game, Play, Big, Senior

People said I was tanking, but Billie Jean beat me fair and square.

- Bobby Riggs

Me, Beat, Square, Jean

I have to admit, I underestimated Billie Jean and overestimated myself.

- Bobby Riggs

Admit, Underestimated, Jean

Billie Jean just caught me on a bad day.

- Bobby Riggs

Bad Day, Bad, Caught, Jean

Ali reversed the decision in a second fight with Joe Frazier. That's what would happen if I played Billie Jean again.

- Bobby Riggs

Decision, Happen, Joe, Jean

The second-worst thing in the world is betting on a golf game and losing. The worst is not betting at all.

- Bobby Riggs

Golf, Game, Worst Thing, Betting

The proudest thing I have ever done was to win the singles, doubles, and mixed doubles at Wimbledon.

- Bobby Riggs

Ever, Singles, Proudest, Doubles

No woman ever lived who could compete with a man on an equal basis - even a 55-year-old man. There's a lot of talk about Women's Lib. They feel they're worth as much as the guys, but they can't play a lick if they can't beat a 55-year-old guy.

- Bobby Riggs

Woman, Play, Compete, Lick

No. 1, women should be in the bedroom. No. 2, get to the kitchen. No. 3, support the man, support the king.

- Bobby Riggs

King, Get, Should, Kitchen

Women belong in the bedroom and the kitchen, in that order.

- Bobby Riggs

Women, Bedroom, Belong, Kitchen

I like to be at the top of the ratings.

- Bobby Riggs

Top, Like, Ratings

I'm out to prove that a guy 55 years old, with one foot in the grave, can play with the best woman in the world and maybe beat her. It'll be a big boost for men's superiority.

- Bobby Riggs

Play, Big, Prove, Boost

I said a lot of things about which I was wrong. Now I have to sit back and take what's coming, and I will. I still like women in the bedrooms and kitchens in that order, but some of them can do other things.

- Bobby Riggs

Some, Still, Which, Bedrooms

I'm like a fire hose when the alarm goes off in a battle against a woman. Don't ever count me out.

- Bobby Riggs

Woman, Goes, Like, Alarm

I like to bet on as close to a sure thing as you can find.

- Bobby Riggs

Like, Sure, Bet, Sure Thing

I scouted all the girls at Wimbledon. I wasn't impressed.

- Bobby Riggs

Impressed, Wimbledon

The best way to handle women is to keep them pregnant and barefoot.

- Bobby Riggs

Best, Keep, Best Way, Barefoot

I am the finest defensive player in the game.

- Bobby Riggs

I Am, Game, Finest, Defensive

I consider myself just a lovable old man who just loves women. I've reversed 100 percent.

- Bobby Riggs

Myself, Old, Loves, Lovable

I'm a woman specialist now. I'm going around the world to challenge all the woman champions. England, France, Czechoslovakia, everywhere.

- Bobby Riggs

England, Czechoslovakia, Specialist

I love the excitement, the center stage, the limelight.

- Bobby Riggs

Love, Stage, I Love, Limelight

Women should do kitchen work and take care of babies.

- Bobby Riggs

Work, Should, Take, Kitchen

This Martina Navratilova is a real champion, but with the proper training, I can make miracles happen.

- Bobby Riggs

Training, Happen, Proper, Martina

Women who can, do. Those who can't become feminists.

- Bobby Riggs

Women, Who, Those, Feminists

I don't want to be the guy who sits on a front porch with a mint julep in his hand and rocks his life away.

- Bobby Riggs

Porch, Want, Away, Mint

If you're betting all the time, everything is just another bet. You don't even think about the money after you've made the arrangements. You're used to it.

- Bobby Riggs

Think, Made, Another, Betting

I always rise to the occasion for that big bet.

- Bobby Riggs

Always, Occasion, Bet, Rise

Billie and I did wonders for women's tennis. They owe me a piece of their checks.

- Bobby Riggs

Me, Wonders, Piece, Checks

All my life, everything has been a contest.

- Bobby Riggs

My Life, Been, Contest, All My Life

The best poker game is seven-card stud, high-low splits. I mean, it's the best if you don't have to declare high or low, and can win it all with a low straight.

- Bobby Riggs

Game, Stud, Declare, Splits

Women's tennis? I think it stinks. They hit the ball back and forth, have a lot of nice volleys, and you can see some pretty legs. But it's night and day compared to men's tennis.

- Bobby Riggs

Think, Some, Pretty, Compared

When I don't enjoy it anymore, I'll stop. But I think as long as people want me to be where the action is, I'll be there. I just love to play tennis.

- Bobby Riggs

Love, Play, Think, Tennis

The drop shots and lobs are very effective in senior tennis.

- Bobby Riggs

Drop, Senior, Very, Tennis

I've played this game from 12-under to the over-70s. So when they say tennis is a game from the cradle to the grave, you truly have it right.

- Bobby Riggs

Game, Grave, Cradle, Tennis

I am the greatest money player in history.

- Bobby Riggs

History, Money, I Am, Player

I never quit hustling.

- Bobby Riggs

Never, Quit, Never Quit, Hustling

My philosophy is to make an offer that the other guy can't refuse, because he thinks there's no way he can't win.

- Bobby Riggs

Way, Other, Guy, Philosophy

Pressure makes me produce. Kills most guys. Mortifies 'em.

- Bobby Riggs

Me, Most, Makes, Guys

I never had any initiative or drive to be a success in business.

- Bobby Riggs

Success, Business, Never, Initiative

I couldn't care less about clothes or cars.

- Bobby Riggs

Care, Less, About, Clothes

It's no disgrace to play against the world's champions and lose by one service break in the last two sets.

- Bobby Riggs

Play, Champions, Last, Disgrace

That's the trouble with the women's game. Those women think they're men, and they go off hitting all over the place. They'd be better off if they'd played like women.

- Bobby Riggs

Game, Think, Over, Played

The bigger the bet, the better I played.

- Bobby Riggs

Better, Bigger, Bet, Played

My biggest problem is overconfidence.

- Bobby Riggs

Problem, Biggest, Biggest Problem

I'm always ready to play for money.

- Bobby Riggs

Money, Play, Always, Ready

If I can't play for big money, I play for a little money. And if I can't play for a little money, I stay in bed that day.

- Bobby Riggs

Play, Big, Bed, Big Money

To be a winner, you've got to be an appraiser. You've got to be able to play at your best under pressure. And more money creates more pressure. Money is the finest fuel in the world.

- Bobby Riggs

Play, More, Fuel, Creates

I've got to have a bet going in order to play my best.

- Bobby Riggs

Best, Play, Going, Bet

Evel Knievel bet me $25,000 I couldn't ride a motorcycle 650 miles from Las Vegas to Twin Falls, Idaho.

- Bobby Riggs

Ride, Vegas, Las Vegas, Bet

An old ham like me needs to be on stage.

- Bobby Riggs

Stage, Like, Needs, Ham

If I am to be a chauvinist pig, I want to be the number one pig.

- Bobby Riggs

I Am, Want, Number, Pig

Women play about twenty-five percent as good as men, so they should get about twenty-five percent of the money men get.

- Bobby Riggs

Money, Men, Play, Twenty-Five

Never underestimate opponents.

- Bobby Riggs

Underestimate, Never, Opponents

The man is king. The man is supreme.

- Bobby Riggs

Man, King, Supreme

I like women. I like them so much, I think every man should own two.

- Bobby Riggs

Think, Like, I Think, Every Man

I'll never play for more than I can afford to lose.

- Bobby Riggs

Play, Never, More, Afford

If you're searching for quotes on a different topic, feel free to browse our Topics page or explore a diverse collection of quotes from various Authors to find inspiration.