Grandson of Tennis Legend Bobby Riggs Receives 20-Year Prison Sentence
Daniel James Riggs, the 33-year-old grandson of former Wimbledon champion and world number one Bobby Riggs, has been sentenced to 240 months in federal prison for sexually abusing two minor girls he coached at a tennis facility in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Guilty Plea and Federal Charges
Riggs pleaded guilty on Tuesday to charges of coercing and enticing two minors to engage in sexual activity. His arrest occurred in December 2024 following an investigation by the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida, which initially charged him with enticement of a minor and production of child pornography.
The federal complaint details that Riggs used his position as a coach with 'Team Riggs' at a Fort Lauderdale tennis center to victimize the two girls between 2021 and late 2024, after meeting them at the venue.
Detailed Pattern of Abuse
According to court documents, Riggs began coaching his first victim in 2020 when she was 15 years old. Around October 2021, he initiated sexual conversations with her and created multiple anonymous accounts on the social media platform Snapchat to request sexually explicit material.
Officials revealed that Riggs occasionally instructed the minor to delete their communications to conceal his identity. The abuse extended beyond digital communication, with Riggs allegedly sexually abusing the girl while traveling for tournaments both domestically and internationally, including in Florida and Brazil.
Investigation and Second Victim
Federal investigators used subscriber and billing records to link Riggs to the anonymous social media accounts. Through examination of social media records, authorities identified a second victim, a 16-year-old girl who had also been coached by Riggs.
Family Legacy and Tennis History
Daniel Riggs is the son of Larry Riggs, the eldest son of tennis legend Bobby Riggs. The elder Riggs, who died in 1995 at age 77, was a three-time Grand Slam champion and former world number one player.
Bobby Riggs remains most famous for his 1973 'Battle of the Sexes' match against Billie Jean King. He was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1967, cementing his legacy as one of tennis's most recognizable figures.
The sentencing marks a tragic chapter in the Riggs family history, with the grandson of a Wimbledon champion now facing two decades in federal prison for crimes against the very children he was entrusted to coach and mentor.
