What is Battle of the Sexes? All you need to know about previous results

These Battle of the Sexes clashes are among the rarest yet most entertaining matches in tennis.

‘Battle of the Sexes’ is an exhibition event held occasionally, where WTA and ATP players clash against each other. They could contest either in singles, where a man faces a woman, or two male players compete against two female players.

In this tennis tournament, organised primarily for entertainment, fans enjoy the unique opportunity to watch top players of the opposite gender compete against each other. Generally, given their different physical dimensions, the men are expected to dominate.

However, to neutralise the difference, the WTA players are given certain advantages before the start of the match. At least eight other exhibition matches have taken place between notable male and female tennis players since 1888.

Here we take a look at some of the most memorable and exciting cross-gender battles in tennis history.

Previous results of Battle of the Sexes-

1973: Bobby Riggs vs Margaret Court

Former World No. 1 Bobby Riggs, with six major titles, including three Wimbledon titles, retired in 1951 but remains the showman of tennis. In 1973, at age 55, he claimed he could beat any top female player, calling their game inferior.

While Billie Jean King initially declined his challenge, Margaret Court accepted for a $20,000 payday. Then ranked No. 1 and just back from maternity leave, Court faced Riggs on May 13 before 5,000 fans in Ramona, California. Riggs used crafty drop shots and lobs to win easily, 6–2, 6–1, in what became known as the “Mother’s Day Massacre.”

1973: Bobby Riggs vs Billie Jean King

Following his win over Margaret Court, Bobby Riggs taunted female players, prompting Billie Jean King to accept a $100,000 winner-takes-all “Battle of the Sexes” match, held on September 20, 1973, at the Houston Astrodome. King entered in Cleopatra style, while Riggs arrived in a rickshaw.

Using smart tactics, King stayed at the baseline, controlled Riggs with deep shots, and forced errors, ultimately defeating him 6–4, 6–3, 6–3.

The match attracted an estimated 50 million U.S. viewers and 90 million globally, becoming a landmark moment in sports and women’s rights. King’s victory inspired countless women, symbolizing the power and equality of female athletes and energizing the feminist movement.

1992: Martina Navratilova vs Jimmy Connors

In 1992, a third “Battle of the Sexes” — called the Battle of Champions- took place at Caesars Palace, Nevada, featuring 40-year-old Jimmy Connors and 35-year-old Martina Navratilova. Under hybrid rules (Connors got one serve per point; Navratilova could use half of the doubles alleys), both players received $650,000 guarantees, plus a $500,000 bonus for the winner.

Connors won 7–5, 6–2, aided by Navratilova’s eight double faults and 36 unforced errors. Rumors circulated that Connors bet on himself to lose no more than eight games, which he later claimed in his book The Outsider.

1998: Karsten Braasch vs the Williams sisters

During the 1998 Australian Open, Karsten Braasch, then ranked 203rd, accepted a challenge from Venus and Serena Williams, who had claimed they could beat any male player outside the top 200. Known for his laid-back training habits, Braasch played Serena first, defeating her 6–1 after going up 5–0, then beat Venus 6–2. The German concluded that men can cover the court and handle spin better.

2003: Yannick Noah vs Justine Henin

In December 2003, 43-year-old Yannick Noah faced 21-year-old Justine Henin in a friendly exhibition at Forest National in Brussels. Adding to the fun, Noah even wore a dress for part of the match and focused on trick shots and slices throughout. Noah still ended up winning 4–6, 6–4, 7–6.

2013: Novak Djokovic vs Li Na

In October 2013, Novak Djokovic and Li Na played a fun five-game mini set in Beijing to celebrate the China Open’s 10th anniversary. With Li starting each game 30–0, she edged out Djokovic 3–2 in a fun-filled contest, mainly for the entertainment of the fans.

2021: Hubert Hurkacz vs Iga Swiatek

In July 2021, Polish number ones Hubert Hurkacz and Iga Swiatek played a single tiebreak game during the opening ceremony of the WTA Poland Open in Gdynia. Iga won it 7–4.

2023: Mirra Andreeva vs Yanis Ghazouani Durand

The most recent “Battle of the Sexes” took place during a French exhibition event in December 2023. Originally, Donna Vekic was set to play the final against either Mirra Andreeva or Varvara Gracheva, but after the Croatian and her replacement, Marta Kostyuk, both withdrew, ATP World No. 1145 Yanis Ghazouani Durand stepped in to face 16-year-old Andreeva.

Durand won the match in straight sets; however, symbolically, Andreeva was presented with the trophy.

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