Billie Jean King

Billie Jean King achieved the World No. 1 ranking in women’s tennis for six of the ten years between 1966 and 1975. During her illustrious career, she accumulated an astounding 39 Grand Slam titles, comprising 12 in singles, 16 in women’s doubles, and 11 in mixed doubles. A pivotal moment occurred in 1973 when King defeated Bobby Riggs in the highly publicized ‘Battle of the Sexes’ match, an event watched by 90 million people worldwide, significantly advancing the recognition and respect for women athletes.

King was named one of the ‘100 Most Important Americans of the 20th Century’ by LIFE magazine in 1990, underscoring her broad cultural influence. In 2006, the USTA National Tennis Center, home of the US Open, was renamed the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in her honor. Three years later, in 2009, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States, for her unwavering commitment to social justice and equality. Most recently, in 2020, the historic Federation Cup, the world cup of women’s tennis, was officially renamed the Billie Jean King Cup, further solidifying her global impact on the sport and beyond.

As an icon for equality and empowerment, Billie Jean King remains a highly sought-after voice, continuing to champion her principles of social justice and inclusion.