Name: adidas Billie Jean King
Colorway: TBC
SKU: KH9857
MSRP: $110 USD
Release Date: TBC
adidas is bringing back a classic shoe originally created for tennis legend Billie Jean King. First released in 1974, the shoe is being reissued over 50 years later, inspired by the historic match that changed the sport and featuring details from King’s personal story and a clean, vintage design.
Billie Jean King is a pioneer for women in sports, and her most famous moment came in 1973. That year, she took on Bobby Riggs, a 55-year-old former tennis pro who believed men were far superior players. Riggs famously claimed he could beat any top female player, even at his age. King, then 29, accepted his challenge in a match dubbed the “Battle of the Sexes.” Watched by around 90 million people globally, she decisively defeated him in three sets. This victory immediately changed public opinion and proved the validity of women’s tennis.
Almost everyone remembers Billie Jean King’s famous tennis match. But few know about the shoe that came after. In 1974, a year after her win, King became the first female athlete to have her own signature shoe with adidas – the same model she wore during the match, originally in blue suede. That actual pair of shoes is now in the International Tennis Hall of Fame, and the shoe’s 2026 re-release celebrates its history instead of trying to create something entirely new.
The shoe’s design is full of meaningful details that tell a story. A leather tag on the tongue features a modern illustration of Billie Jean King, along with her signature in gold on the heel. The back of the shoe displays the scores from one of her famous three-set victories (6-4, 6-3, 6-3), and the inside reads “Pressure Is a Privilege” – a phrase from her 2008 memoir. Unique curved details around the toe add a special touch, while the overall design stays true to classic adidas Originals with its signature stripes and retro tennis sole. The shoe is mostly made of soft, off-white suede, with leather accents on the stripes and heel, allowing the commemorative details to stand out.
The adidas Billie Jean King shoe is now available at some stores in Europe, suggesting it will be released in the US in 2026.
2026-07-22 10:26