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You are in: Tennis: Features |  |
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The King of women's tennis | |
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Around the Academy: |
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King has done much to help women's tennis
Billie Jean King
No woman has done more to drag women's tennis out of the shadows and into the main arena. When King started her tennis career she was an amateur and had to fit college in around tournaments like Wimbledon. But when she won the Wimbledon doubles title as a 17 year old in 1961, few people had any idea about the impact she would have on the game. She believed that women were entitled to more prize money and as she won more and more her voice got louder and louder.
To say she was dominating women's tennis was an understatement. She won 12 Grand Slams in 10 years and added many more doubles titles. In 1973 she said she wouldn't play in the US Open unless women earned as much as the men. Thanks to King they made the prize money equal for the first time.
She even played in a 'battle of the sexes' match where she took on and beat Bobby Riggs and the same year she founded the Women's Tennis Association. Not only was she an awesome player but her determination off the court allowed women to enjoy the more equal footing they have in the game today. And to think that she switched from softball to tennis when she was younger. Verdict: Softball's loss was tennis' gain. A true pioneer.
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