Billie Jean King's iconic blue suede shoes are making a comeback, more than five decades after they became part of one of tennis's most famous moments. adidas is bringing back the footwear King wore during her landmark 1973 'Battle of the Sexes' victory over Bobby Riggs, giving the archival style a modern fashion makeover.
The new Blue Suede Shoe arrives as a lifestyle trainer rather than a direct sporting replica, combining its unmistakable retro blue suede look with personal details that reference King and the historic match. The result is a nostalgic adidas release with a distinctly contemporary appeal.
The Blue Suede Shoe Returns
King wore the blue suede adidas shoes when she faced Riggs in Houston on 20 September 1973. The match became a cultural phenomenon, with King winning in straight sets and an estimated global television audience of 90 million watching her victory.
More than 50 years later, adidas is revisiting the shoe to celebrate that moment and King's enduring influence on sport. The brand says the return is intended to connect a defining piece of adidas heritage with the continued growth and visibility of women's sport today.
Rather than simply placing the original design back on shelves, adidas has reimagined the silhouette for everyday wear. That makes the release particularly relevant to fashion fans who have embraced the ongoing return of retro trainers and heritage sportswear.
A Retro Trainer With Personal Details
The appeal of the new Blue Suede Shoe is in the details.
King's portrait and signature appear on the tongue, while the left heel features '1973' as a nod to the year of the Battle of the Sexes. On the right heel, adidas has included the set scores from King's victory, turning the trainer into a subtle piece of wearable tennis history.
The signature blue suede finish remains the star of the design. Its vintage sporting aesthetic gives the trainer a throwback feel, while the lifestyle silhouette makes it suitable beyond the tennis court.
That balance between archive inspiration and everyday styling is likely to appeal to shoppers looking for trainers with more of a story behind them. Instead of a generic retro revival, this pair has a direct connection to one of the most recognisable moments in women's sport.
Why the 1973 Match Still Matters
The Battle of the Sexes was about far more than tennis.
King's victory over Riggs became a defining moment in the fight for gender equality in sport, arriving at a time when women's professional tennis was still fighting for recognition and equal treatment.
For adidas, bringing back the shoes is an opportunity to celebrate both the athlete and the match's wider cultural impact. King herself has described the shoes as representing more than the contest itself.
'These blue shoes will always represent so much more to me than one match,' King said. 'They remind me of the progress we've made, but also of the work that is still ahead of us.'
She added that she hoped the revival would inspire a new generation to keep pushing for equality and using their voices to create positive change.
From Tennis Court to Street Style
The latest release also shows how sporting history continues to influence fashion.
Tennis-inspired clothing and trainers have become increasingly prominent in contemporary wardrobes, with classic court styles frequently moving between sport and streetwear. The Blue Suede Shoe fits neatly into that conversation, retaining the visual language of vintage tennis while being positioned as a lifestyle trainer.
It also lets fans engage with King's legacy through fashion. The '1973' marking and match scores build history directly into the design, rather than confining it to the launch campaign. For collectors, the combination of adidas heritage, a famous sporting figure and a highly recognisable historical moment could make the release particularly appealing.
When Can You Buy the adidas Blue Suede Shoe?
The new Billie Jean King Blue Suede Shoe became available from 24 August 2026 through adidas.com, the adidas app and selected retailers. adidas' announcement did not specify a UK retail price, so shoppers should check local listings for pricing and availability.
The timing is also significant. The release coincides with the start of the season's final major tennis tournament in New York, putting King's historic shoes back in the spotlight as the tennis world turns its attention to the sport's biggest stage.
More than five decades after King wore them for one of tennis's most memorable victories, the blue suede shoes have been given a new life. This time, they are not just trainers inspired by a sporting legend–they are a wearable reminder of the match, the movement and the woman who helped change the game.
