September 20th: The Day The Battle of the Sexes was Won by a Woman

The Battle of the Sexes was a series of 3 tennis matches in 1973 and 1992, and on September 20th 1973, Billie Jean King played Bobby Riggs...and beat him! King was the first woman to conquer over a male opponent in the series, and the match is held as one of the most memorable in history. 

When Billie Beat Bobby

   Riggs had previously beaten tennis player Margaret Court earlier that year, and his glory from that victory had continued to maintain his cocky attitude against all female players. In fact, the way in which he seemed to taunt every female opponent he came up against is what sparked commentators and promoters to dub this series 'The Battle of the Sexes'. However, the September 20th game of this Battle slammed the smile right off Riggs' face, as Billie Jean King won all 3 sets (6-4, 6-3, 6-3). 
   Since that match, King became an advocate for sexual equality as well as being recognised for her impressive skills on the tennis court. Although many conspiracies and rumours have since been circulated around the internet that somehow, through various different methods, King did not beat Riggs fair and square. Some people claim Riggs let her win, or that King had easier opportunities i.e. the ability to hit the ball into the doubles lines, however these allegations are all false. The matches were all umpired accurately to the same, fair rules that tennis is played today. Since it was no ordinary tennis match, and the issue of sex was involved, I think this added another dimension which meant that whatever the result was, the opposite sex could have complained. 
   Although for some The Battle of the Sexes was a tournament considered in jest, for others the outcome of the King vs. Riggs game meant an improvement in the position of women in sport, and it suggested women were more likely to be taken seriously. What do you think about the controversy of this tennis match? Was it just a game, or were there huge consequences from the result?