Billie Jean King is a world-renowned tennis player and former world number one. She won 39 major tennis titles, including 16 singles titles as well as 16 women's doubles titles. She also played in the United States' national team at seven Federation Cups, nine Wightman Cups, and eight other Wightman Cups.
Billie Jean King's career
Billie Jean King is one of the most successful female athletes of all time. Born in Long Beach, California, on November 22, 1942. Billie Jean, an athlete naturally, started playing softball when she was a kid and then switched to tennis at age 11. King began lessons from Clyde Walker when she was younger, who encouraged her. King was known to be aggressive in the sport and she forced her opponents to make mistakes.
Her fight for equal tennis wages
Billie Jean King became the first woman professional tennis player. Bobby Riggs (a male chauvinist) was the opponent she took on in a "Battle of the Sexes match. Riggs, a self-proclaimed male chauvinist, wanted to prove that women's tennis was inferior to men's. King defeated Riggs by two sets. The match attracted 90 million viewers. During the match, King earned $100,000 prize money.
She is a strong advocate for gay and lesbian rights
Billie Jean King has been a symbol of American sports history. She changed the face and culture of the sport by becoming the first openly gay woman ever to win the Grand Slam. 50 million people saw her 1973 win over Bobby Riggs and it was a historic moment for female athletes. King, however, was still uncomfortable about her sexuality at 51 years of age.
Her boldest statement yet
Billie Jean King is a bold and important first statement. It's a statement about her gender which is rarely addressed to women. Second, it's not about sex. It is about empowerment of women. Many female celebrities are famous for their looks, marriages, and activism for women. Some of these women include Cybill Shephard, Pat Nixon, Betty Friedan and many others.
Her life mission
Billie Jean King made it her life's mission to empower women and girls in sport. She achieved this by founding the Women's Tennis Association, piloting Virginia Slims tours, and advocating for Title IX funding. Title IX funding ensures equal funding for both men's & women's sport. In addition, she was a prominent athlete to be openly gay. She continues to push for greater equality in sports today.
Her legacy
Billie Jean King's legacy extends beyond her tennis skills. American tennis legend Billie Jean Kings won 39 Grand Slams. The only female athlete on Time magazine's list for the 100 most influential Americans is her. She founded the Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative, and World TeamTennis which is a professional mixed-gender league of tennis.