Billie Jean King
Named one of the "100 Most Important Americans of the 20th Century" by Life magazine, Billie Jean King has long been a champion for social change. She is recognized for spearheading the women’s movement in tennis and for her lifelong pursuit of equality in sports and in life. She continues to make her mark today.
Billie Jean grew up playing tennis in the California public parks and won 39 Grand Slam titles during her career. She led efforts to form the Virginia Slims Tour and founded the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) in 1973. She empowered women and educated men when she defeated Bobby Riggs in one of the greatest moments in sports history – the Battle of the Sexes on Sept. 20, 1973.
Billie Jean cofounded World Team Tennis (WTT) in 1974, a professional tennis league that continues today, and that same year started the Women’s Sports Foundation to advance the lives of women and girls through sports and physical activity. In August 2006, the National Tennis Center in Queens, New York, was renamed The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in honor of her many accomplishments both on and off the court. |
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