Tennis Dress, worn by Billie Jean King during the "Battle of the Sexes"

Tennis Dress, worn by Billie Jean King during the "Battle of the Sexes"

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Description (Brief)
Tennis dress, worn by American professional tennis player Billie Jean King (b, 1943.) The dress, designed by Teddy Tinling, London, was worn by King in her famous exhibition match against male competitor Bobby Riggs known as "The Battle of the Sexes." King handily won the nationally televised event, held in Houston, Texas on September 20, 1973.
King has won over 129 singles matches in her career, including 12 Grand Slam singles titles. She was the founder of the Women's Tennis Association and has been an influential advocate for the sport of tennis and women's rights.
Object Name
tennis outfit
dress, tennis
date made
1973
user
King, Billie Jean
designer
Tinling, Teddy
maker
Tinling, Teddy
place made
United Kingdom: England, London
Physical Description
fabric (overall material)
Measurements
overall: 26 in x 16 in; 66.04 cm x 40.64 cm
overall, mounted: 30 1/2 in x 16 1/2 in x 12 in; 77.47 cm x 41.91 cm x 30.48 cm
ID Number
1992.0122.01
accession number
1992.0122
catalog number
1992.0122.01
Credit Line
Gift of Billie Jean King
subject
Tennis
Sports
Professional
Women
See more items in
Culture and the Arts: Sport and Leisure
Highlights from the Culture and the Arts Collection
Exhibition
Entertainment Nation
Exhibition Location
National Museum of American History
Data Source
National Museum of American History
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Comments

What is the embroidered design on the collar?

Tina holmquist

Tue, 2018-01-09 16:12

Tina, the embroidered design on the collar is the Virginia Slims Tennis logo. The company was the primary sponsor for the Women's Tennis Association, founded by King. I can't post a picture on this reply but here is a link to a story that features the image. http://68416521.weebly.com/virginia-slims-circuit.html

Eric Jentsch

Fri, 2018-10-12 08:23

Do you also have her blue tennis shoes created for the Battle of the Sexes? They come to mind because I owned 3 pairs in the 1970s for playing tennis and loved them.

Ellen Finch

Tue, 2017-10-10 11:24

Hi Ellen -- We do not have the tennis shoes Billie Jean King wore during that famed tennis match -- only the dress!

Jane Rogers

Tue, 2017-12-12 08:30

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