Billie Jean King is a former world No. 1 professional tennis player. She dominated women’s tennis with 39 Grand Slam -12 singles, 12 doubles and 11 mixed doubles titles. She was born on born November 22, 1943.
King was a member of the victorious United States team in seven Federation Cups and nine Wightman Cups. For three years, she was the U.S. captain in the Federation Cup. King is an advocate of gender equality and has long been a pioneer for equality and social justice. In 1973, at age 29, she won the “Battle of the Sexes” tennis match against the 55-year-old Bobby Riggs.
The Fed Cup Award of Excellence was bestowed on her in 2010. King was also the founder of the Women’s Tennis Association and the Women’s Sports Foundation. In 2020, the Federation Cup was renamed the Billie Jean King Cup in her honour. In 2022, she was awarded the French Legion of Honour.
Did Billie Jean King win the Battle of the Sexes?
On September 20, 1973, in a highly publicized “Battle of the Sexes” tennis match, top women’s player Billie Jean King, 29, beats Bobby Riggs, 55, a former No. 1 ranked men’s player.