Billie Jean King’s place in sports history was already secure before signature footwear became part of an athlete’s legacy. Her 1973 match against Bobby Riggs, known as the “Battle of the Sexes,” became a defining moment for women’s tennis and women’s sports as a whole.

Riggs, a former 55-year-old champion, had publicly belittled women’s tennis and boasted he could beat its top players. King, 29, took him up on the challenge and defeated him in straight sets, 6–4, 6–3, 6–3. It is estimated that 90 million people around the world tuned in to watch.

The sneaker story followed one year later. In 1974, King became the first female athlete to receive a signature shoe from adidas. A blue suede version of the model was worn during her victory over Riggs, and that original pair is now preserved by the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

More than five decades later, the adidas Billie Jean King is returning in Bright Royal and Chalk White. The blue pair draws directly from the colorway worn during the historic match, while the off-white edition gives the retro tennis silhouette a quieter look.

Commemorative details connect both releases to King’s career. A leather tongue tag features an updated portrait, her signature appears in gold near the lateral heel, and the back tabs carry the final match scores. The insoles are printed with “Pressure Is a Privilege,” King’s longtime motto and the title of her 2008 memoir.

Curved overlays shape the toe box, while serrated Three Stripes and a low-profile rubber sole keep the construction close to classic adidas tennis footwear from the era.

The adidas Billie Jean King “Bright Royal” and “Chalk White” are expected to release in women’s sizing for $110. An official release date has yet to be announced.

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