Tennis icon Billie Jean King dominated the tennis scene from 1966-1975, earning 32 of her 39 Grand Slam titles during this period, including all 12 of her Grand Slam singles titles, nine of her 16 Grand Slam women’s doubles titles, and 10 of her 11 Grand Slam mixed doubles titles. She held the world number 1 ranking in women’s tennis from 1966-1968, from 1971-1972, and in 1974.
In 1971, Billie Jean was part of a group of nine women tennis players, later dubbed the “Original 9,” who signed a $1 contract to join the Virginia Slims Circuit to protest against the inequity in prize money awarded in the men’s and women’s game. In 1973, at the height of her competitive years, King leveraged her influence and position to spearhead the formation of the Women’s Tennis Association and became its first president.
One of the greatest challenges of her career has been fighting for gender equity in sports.
Many people remember when she defeated Bobby Rigg in the "Battle of the Sexes" match in 1973 and view that moment as a breakthrough for girls and women, not only in sports but in society as well.
King started the Women's Sports Foundation, which is dedicated to promoting athletic opportunities for girls and women and is the founder of the Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative to address diversity issues in the workplace.
Discover more about Billie Jean King at BillieJeanKing.com.
In the news: Emma Stone scores as Billie Jean King in crowd-pleasing study in love matches. Read a review of 'Battle of the Sexes' movie at ChicagoTribune.com.