Bizarre Rivalry: Frank Kovacs and Bobby Riggs

The press played up the rivalry between Riggs and Kovacs–but was it more serious than anyone realized?

After his devastating loss to Don McNeil in the 1940 Final at Forrest Hills, Bobby Riggs was determined to regain the title in 1941. But McNeil was not the only player or even the most challenging player standing in his way.

That was Frank Kovacs, the man the press called the Clown Prince, but who according to contemporaries, had a much darker side. (Click Here to read more about Kovacs game, personality, and gamesmanship.)

Dealing with Kovacs’ dazzling shotmaking was one thing. Contending with his bizarre and even potentially criminal behavior was another.

How far would Kovacs go? If the accounts of witnesses can be believed, Kovacs drugged Bobby Riggs before a national final in hopes this would cause him to default.

Litany of Outrages

Everyone knew that, in general, if things were not exactly to Kovacs’ liking, or perhaps even if they were, he was liable to simply walk off the court.

Frank Kovacs took gamesmanship to the extreme, on and off the court.

Gardnar Mulloy recalled a match in which Kovacs was having a difficult time against a low-ranked player. Playing…