Billie Jean King is a world-renowned tennis player and former world number one. She won 39 major titles, including 12 singles titles, 16 women's doubles titles, and 11 mixed doubles titles. In addition, she played for the United States national team in seven Federation Cups and nine Wightman Cups.
Billie Jean King’s career
Billie Jean King is one of the most successful female athletes of all time. She was born in Long Beach, California on November 22, 1942. Billie Jean is a natural athlete. As a child, she played softball before becoming a tennis player at the age 11 years. Encouraged by her father, King began taking lessons from tennis legend Clyde Walker, who would give her free tennis lessons when she was younger. 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, the first female professional tennis player, was a passionate advocate for gender equality and she used her tennis career to fight for it. Bobby Riggs, a male chauvinist, was her opponent in a "Battle of the Sexes” match. Riggs was a self-proclaimed male Chauvinist who wanted to prove that women's Tennis is inferior to men's. King beat Riggs in straight sets, a match in which 90 million people tuned in. King took home $100,000 in prize money.
Her advocacy for gay- and lesbian equality
Billie Jean King is a legend in American sports history. She was the first openly homosexual woman 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 was not comfortable with her sexuality, even after she turned 51.
Her first bold statement
Billie Jean King's first bold utterance is an important one for a variety of reasons. For one thing, it makes a statement about her gender, which often isn't addressed to women. The second is that it doesn't just focus on sex; it also focuses on the importance of female empowerment. The most notable female celebrities are not only known for being beautiful and successful in marriage, but they are also well-known for their activism for women's rights. Some of these women include Cybill Shepherd, Pat Nixon, Betty Friedan, and others.
Her life mission
Billie Jean King was a woman whose life goal was to see girls and women in sport reach their full potential. She made this happen by founding the Women's Tennis Association. She also piloted the Virginia Slims tour and campaigned for Title IX funding. Title IX funding allows for equal funding of men's as well as women's sporting activities. She is also a pioneer in equality in sports, having been one of the first to come out as gay.
Her legacy
Billie Jean King has a legacy that goes far beyond her tennis talents. American tennis star Billiejean King won 39 Grand Slams. She was also the first female athlete to make Time magazine’s list of the 100 most influential Americans in the 20th century. She founded World TeamTennis (a professional mixed-gender tennis league) and Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative.