Tennis Star Bobby Riggs Grandson Daniel James Riggs Gets 20 Year Sentence as Disturbing Tennis Case Unfolds

A serious case involving a well-known tennis family has ended with a long prison sentence. Daniel James Riggs, grandson of former world No. 1 tennis player Bobby Riggs, has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison. The sentence was given on March 12 by U.S. District Judge Melissa Damian in Florida. The case has drawn attention not just because of the crime, but also because of the trust he held as a coach.Daniel Riggs, 33, worked as a tennis coach at a Fort Lauderdale training center. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, he used his position to target two of his students. Both were minors. One was 15 years old when he started coaching her in 2020, and another was identified as a 16-year-old through social media records. The details of the case show how the situation developed over time and raised serious concern.As per the U.S. Attorney’s Office press release and reports from WPLG, Daniel Riggs used multiple social media accounts to contact the minors. These conversations went far beyond normal coaching communication. Officials stated that he engaged them in inappropriate and explicit chats over a long period. These interactions continued from 2021 until his arrest in late 2024.Investigators later found that he had created several anonymous profiles. He also told one of the minors to delete messages, which raised more suspicion. Authorities tracked him using subscriber and billing records connected to these accounts. The investigation also revealed that he requested illegal material from one of the students through a social media app.The case became even more serious when officials said he had abused one of the minors during trips related to tennis training and tournaments. These incidents reportedly took place both in Florida and during travel.Daniel Riggs later pleaded guilty to two counts of coercion and enticement of a minor. As part of the legal outcome, he will also have to register as a sex offender after completing his prison sentence.U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones spoke clearly about the case. He said, “Children and parents trust coaches with more than athletic instruction. They trust them with safety, guidance, and character.” He added, “This defendant abused that trust in the most disturbing way imaginable, using his position to groom and sexually exploit the very students he was supposed to mentor. Twenty years in federal prison reflects the seriousness of that betrayal.”Daniel Riggs is the grandson of Bobby Riggs, a former tennis great who was once ranked No. 1 in the world. Bobby Riggs was also known for his famous 1973 match against Billie Jean King and was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1967.