SfC Home > Competition >
Answers to Readers' Questions - Strategies to Win Competitions. Also refer to contest, prize, reward, performance, head-to-head, predatory, contestants, opponents, score, judges, reputation, knowledge, head-to-head, offense, defense, deter, negative, predatory, attack, superior, weaker, bully, sports, athletics, business, war, Ron Kurtus, School for Champions. Copyright © Restrictions
Answers to Readers' Questions on Competition:
Riggs vs King Tennis Match
The following 4 comments and questions have been sent in. They are listed according to date.
List of first 10 items
- Feels there definitely were handicaps
- Where can I find out the handicaps?
- Did Riggs play at a disadvantage?
- Where did you get information on handicap?
Feels there definitely were handicaps
Question
May 23, 2006
Read your comment on the handicaps You said some readers saw that match and denied the handicaps. I am an avid tennis player who watched both matches and there definately were the handicaps. Its a shame women claim that as a vicxtory That would be like me taking my 21 year old son, and having him have a boxing match with Muhammed Ali and have Ali at his age and condition now tie one hand behind his back and not allow him to puch above the shoulders and them claim ny son beat "The Greatest" champion The king Riggs was a joke and most people dont even know he beat Margaret Court worse 6-2, 6-1 earlier in the year
Jeffrey - USA
11173
Answer
Although we can't seem to prove if there really were handicaps in the match between Riggs and King, the point I was trying to make was the effect of using psychological strategies to gain an edge in a competition. Sometimes giving a handicap will cause your opponent to relax too much, thus negating the effect of the handicap. But also being overconfident--as Riggs was after beating Court--can cause your downfall.
Needless to say, win or lose, the match made Bobby Riggs a household name, as well as giving women's tennis a shot in the arm.
Where can I find out the handicaps?
Question
May 23, 2006
Where can I find out the handicaps that Both Margaret Court and Billie Jean King had? There were several significant handicaps and all the writers tell how she beat him, but neglect to mention the handicaps. The two most important were he was allowed only 1 serve and an even more important one was that she was allowed the outside doubles lanes. That is huge She could run him amd hit thwe ball what 3 or so feet wide om either side and get the point Where is that written. I tried it with a guy I play even and I gave him that handicap and he killed me 6-0 6-0 when I ncould no longer hit a hard first serve andf his normal wide shots were winners
Jeffrey - USA
11172
Answer
It is unfortunate, but the reporters where more interested in the battle of the sexes angle than in other aspects of the match. I know that other people seem to recall there being a handicap, but I haven't been able to find any written verification.
One big problem is that Riggs did not train for the match. He spent time promoting and partying and was in terrible shape for someone his age. Meanwhile King trained hard to be ready for the match.
I've never heard of any handicap in the match against Court. Riggs just psyched her out.
Did Riggs play at a disadvantage?
Question
April 29, 2006
I have been fascinated by the Riggs-King match for years and I seem to remember that Riggs played at a disadvantage. I thought it was that one of the following:
1. He had only one serve and King had the usual 2.
2. Riggs had the regular lines and King had the doubles lines.
3. Riggs had the regular lines in the serve and King had doubles lines in the serve.
If you know the particulars on the disadvantage or handicap, I would love to know and why is it that it is never mentioned when this match is written about.
Thanks.
Fran - USA
10984
Answer
I've also heard that Riggs had only 1 serve to King's 2 and that she had the doubles lines. Unfortunately, none of the news stories mention any handicap. Their emphasis is mainly on the "battle of the sexes" and not on the particulars. Also, some people who saw the match claim that there were no handicaps.
Where did you get information on handicap?
Question
January 8, 2006
I know that Riggs had a handicap in the match, but coverage of it is almost non-existant. Even Wikipedia doesn't mention the serve disadvantage. Could you tell me where you got the information about the handicaps? Thanks.
Matt - USA
9597
Answer
I was suprised about that too. One source was in a biography of Riggs at
http://www.answers.com/topic/bobby-riggs
I'll have to add that to the Resources on that page.
Summary
Hopefully, this reader feedback has helped provide information about Competition issues.
Always do your best
Resources
The following are some resources on this topic.
Websites
Books
Top-rated books on Winning Strategies
What do you think?
Do you have any questions, comments, or opinions on this subject? If so, send an email with your feedback. We will try to get back to you as soon as possible.
Feel free to establish a link from your website to pages in this site.
Where can you go from here?
Answers to Readers' Questions