WATCH: Billie Jean King Talks Battle of the Sexes with Stephen Colbert

Monday night, tennis legend Billy Jean King appeared on The Colbert Report to discuss her upcoming profile on PBS’ American Masters.  The 39-time Grand Slam winner gave Colbert a little insight into her remarkable career, specifically the controversial Battle of the Sexes match between her and Bobby Riggs, when the two were 29 and 55, respectively.  The peculiar cicumstances surrounding the outcome of that historic match were featured in an ESPN Outside the Lines feature last month. 

Accompanied by a short preview for the special, King talks about her vindication when the trash-talking Riggs told her he underestimated her, directly after her victory.  After all, the openly gay King addressed Riggs' famous quote that "a woman's place is in the bedroom and the kitchen, in that order,” telling Colbert, "I think that's a good order, actually.  But I think it applies for women, too, that we'd like that as well."  Laughing, Colbert admitted, "You've rattled me."
Concluding his interview, Colbert returned the volley, asking King, "You concealed your sexual preference when you were at the height of your fame, did it ever upset you when a line judge would yell, 'Out!'  A great sport, King answered with a resounding, "Yes!"

The Billie Jean King episode of American Masters premieres tonight at 8 p.m. on PBS.  

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