The grandson of tennis legend Bobby Riggs has been arrested by armed FBI agents on child pornography charges.
Daniel Riggs was arrested Tuesday by several armed FBI agents while working at the Lauderdale Tennis Club in Fort Lauderdale, where he works as a coach.
The late, great Bobby was one of the best men’s tennis players in America during his prime. Bobby Riggs won Wimbledon and the US Open in 1939 and again in 1941.
Riggs, his 31-year-old grandson, is accused of having a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old woman he coached, according to federal court records.
He is now accused of enticing a minor and producing child pornography.
A federal complaint filed in September alleges that the South Florida-based tennis coach engaged in sexual conversations with the 15-year-old athlete via Snapchat, a popular social media application.
The complaint also accuses the tennis star’s grandson of soliciting “child sexual abuse” material from the minor through the social media platform where he allegedly “created multiple anonymous profiles and at times advised the minor victim to delete their conversations.” , according to the US Attorney’s Office. .
In addition to the inappropriate requests, Riggs was also accused of sexually assaulting the minor while they traveled for domestic and international tournaments in U.S. states, including Florida, and in Brazil.
Daniel Riggs, 31, grandson of the former tennis pro and tennis coach himself, was arrested Tuesday by several armed FBI agents at the Lauderdale Tennis Club in Fort Lauderdale, where he worked as a coach.
A federal complaint filed in September alleges that the South Florida-based tennis coach engaged in sexual conversations with the 15-year-old athlete via Snapchat, a popular social media application. Pictured: the Lauderdale Tennis Club in Fort Lauderdale
Riggs began coaching the teenage girl in 2020, but the alleged sexual assault did not begin until October 2021.
According to the federal complaint, the alleged sexual abuse lasted until August, just before the victim reported the situation to the FBI in September.
When officers arrived at Fort Lauderdale’s upscale tennis club on Tuesday, federal law enforcement officials interviewed several employees, children and their parents who were at the court. South Florida Sun Sentinel reported.
Riggs was a member of the Cornell University tennis team in 2011 and 2012. In 2014 and 2015, Riggs played tennis for Lynn University in Boca Raton, according to his biographies from the respective universities.
The Riggs family operates their own private tennis training company, Team Riggs Inc., within the Lauderdale Tennis Club – a private club with tennis courts and apartments.
Team Riggs Inc. rents courts from the facility to house their exclusive business, the Orlando Sentinel reported. State corporate records list Riggs as the company’s president.
Before turning to coaching, the Florida native had some success of his own, winning a national team title for Florida in 2009. A year later, Riggs won a high school doubles championship, according to biographies on websites used for various college athletic programs.
Riggs took his success to the next level and was a member of the Cornell University tennis team in 2011 and 2012. In 2014 and 2015, Riggs played tennis for Lynn University in Boca Raton, according to his biographies from the respective universities.
His grandfather, the late, great Bobby Riggs (pictured) was one of the best men’s tennis players in America during his prime. Bobby Riggs won Wimbledon and the US Open in 1939 and again in 1941
Bobby Riggs (pictured), then 55, challenged the 29-year-old King, aiming to demonstrate that women were less skilled in the sport, according to a post on King’s website. But he famously lost the match to King
In addition to his notable championship successes, Bobby Riggs is also widely recognized for the ‘Battle of the Sexes’ match against another tennis icon, Billie Jean King.
Bobby Riggs, then 55, challenged the 29-year-old King, aiming to demonstrate that women were less skilled in the sport, according to a post on King’s website. But he famously lost the match to King.
Investigators also revealed additional details on social media that indicate there may have been a second child victim in the case.
A pre-trial detention hearing is scheduled for Monday, December 23.