We acknowledge Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work and live and give respect to their Elders, past and present.

Read our Statement of Reflection

Your Cart

Your cart is empty right now...

Discover what's on
Your Stuff
Lists
No lists found
Create list
List name
0 Saved items
Updated: a few seconds ago
Getting Started
Get started with Your Stuff

A free Your Stuff account allows you to save, list and share your favourite collection items and articles. This account will give you access to Your Stuff, NFSA Player and Pro. You will need to create an additional account for Canberra event tickets.

Confirm
Skip to main content
National Film and Sound Archive of AustraliaNational Film and Sound Archive
National Film and Sound Archive of Australia
National Film and Sound Archive
National Film and Sound Archive of Australia
National Film and Sound Archive

Margaret Court: The Aussie Amazon

1970

Margaret Court: The Aussie Amazon

1970

    This footage from the Nine Network shows the first set of the 1970 Women's Singles Championship match between Australia's Margaret Court and American tennis star, Billie Jean King.

    Court won the match in straight sets, 14-12 and 11-9. This was before the introduction of tie-breakers to decide sets. Court’s victory was her third Wimbledon title and her third Grand Slam win of the year.

    Court amassed more major titles than any other player in tennis history with 192 singles titles, including 24 Grand Slam titles. She is the only player in tennis history to complete a multiple Grand Slam set, twice, in all three disciplines: singles, women's doubles and mixed doubles.

    Court was dubbed the 'Aussie Amazon' because of her rigorous exercise routine.

    American Billie Jean King was a world No.1 tennis player with 39 Grand Slam victories in singles, doubles and mixed doubles, including six single Wimbledon titles. She is also known for defeating Bobby Riggs in a much-hyped exhibition match dubbed 'The Battle of the Sexes' in September 1973.

    Earlier in the same year, Riggs had easily defeated Margaret Court in a similar exhibition game which became known as the 'Mother's Day Massacre'.

    Courtesy of
    Nine Network

    This footage from the Nine Network shows the first set of the 1970 Women's Singles Championship match between Australia's Margaret Court and American tennis star, Billie Jean King.

    Court won the match in straight sets, 14-12 and 11-9. This was before the introduction of tie-breakers to decide sets. Court’s victory was her third Wimbledon title and her third Grand Slam win of the year.

    Court amassed more major titles than any other player in tennis history with 192 singles titles, including 24 Grand Slam titles. She is the only player in tennis history to complete a multiple Grand Slam set, twice, in all three disciplines: singles, women's doubles and mixed doubles.

    Court was dubbed the 'Aussie Amazon' because of her rigorous exercise routine.

    American Billie Jean King was a world No.1 tennis player with 39 Grand Slam victories in singles, doubles and mixed doubles, including six single Wimbledon titles. She is also known for defeating Bobby Riggs in a much-hyped exhibition match dubbed 'The Battle of the Sexes' in September 1973.

    Earlier in the same year, Riggs had easily defeated Margaret Court in a similar exhibition game which became known as the 'Mother's Day Massacre'.

    Courtesy of
    Nine Network
    Decades
    Tags
    Themes
      Decades
      Tags
      Themes
      Industry professional? Go Pro

      Need to license this item? A/V professionals and researchers can shortlist licensing enquiries via our NFSA Pro catalogue search and membership.

      Get started with PRO

      Collections to explore

      • Margaret Court

      • 1970s

      • Tennis

      • Start your own collection

        A free Your Stuff account allows you to save, organise and share your favourite videos, audio and stories.

      More in Stories+

      Personalized your experience

      Save, create and share

      With NFSA Your Stuff