Billie Jean King

Billie Jean King is an American former professional tennis player, born on November 22, 1943, in Long Beach, California. She is widely regarded as one of the greatest women's tennis players of all time. King began her professional career in 1959, and by the time she retired in 1983, she had won a total of 39 Grand Slam titles.

King is known for her forehand drive, speed, and persistence on the tennis court. She has won numerous awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and holds multiple records, such as the most WTA Year-End Championships held.

Off the court, King is also recognized for her activism and influence, notably fighting for equal pay in tennis and advocating for LGBTQ+ rights.

Early Career

• Rising Star: King began playing tennis at the age of 11 and quickly climbed the junior ranks, turning professional in 1959.

Grand Slam Success

• Champion: King won her first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in 1961 in the women's doubles. She went on to win a total of 39 Grand Slam titles, including 12 in singles, 16 in women's doubles, and 11 in mixed doubles.

World TeamTennis

• Pioneer: In 1974, King co-founded World TeamTennis, a professional tennis league that features teams of male and female players. She continues to be involved with the league today.

The 'Battle of the Sexes'

• Historic Match: In 1973, King played in a highly publicized exhibition match against Bobby Riggs, a former world No.1 ranked men's player. She won the match, which became known as the 'Battle of the Sexes.'

United States Fed Cup Team

• Representing the USA: King was part of the United States Fed Cup team for several years, both as a player and as a captain. Under her captaincy, the team won the title in 1996 and 2000.

• Playing Style: King was known for her aggressive playing style, speed, and tactical intelligence on the court. She was particularly strong in her forehand drive and her ability to adapt her game to any surface.

• Family: King was married to Larry King (not the television host) from 1965 to 1987. She publicly acknowledged her homosexuality in 1981 and has been in a relationship with her former doubles partner, Ilana Kloss, since 1987.
• Activism: King is a prominent advocate for gender equality and LGBTQ+ rights. She co-founded the Women's Tennis Association and the Women's Sports Foundation.

• Billie Jean King is celebrated not only for her extraordinary talent and numerous records but also for her advocacy for gender equality, both in sports and in society. Her impact on tennis and her status as a pioneer extend beyond the court, inspiring millions of fans around the world.

Grand Slam Titles:

• 39 total Grand Slam titles

WTA Year-End Championships:

• Most titles held

Presidential Medal of Freedom:

• Awarded in 2009 for her contributions to sports and the fight for gender equality

Books

• King, B. J., & Kaplan, C. (1982). Billie Jean. New York: Harper & Row.
• Ware, S. (2011). Game, Set, Match: Billie Jean King and the revolution in women's sports. Chapel Hill: The University of North Carolina Press.

Websites

• WTA: Information about Billie Jean King’s career and achievements. Available at: https://www.wtatennis.com
• World TeamTennis: Details about King’s involvement in World TeamTennis. Available at: https://www.wtt.com
• Women's Sports Foundation: Official site with updates on King’s advocacy work. Available at: https://www.womenssportsfoundation.org

Articles

• ESPN: Billie Jean King: Career in numbers. Available at: https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/22516763
• The Guardian: Billie Jean King’s career highlights and records. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/billie-jean-king

Interviews and Documentaries

• Billie Jean King: Portrait of a Pioneer (2006): This documentary provides a detailed look at King’s life and career, featuring interviews with her family, friends, and colleagues.
• ESPN Interviews: Various interviews and features on Billie Jean King, covering different aspects of her career. Available at: https://www.espn.com