Billie Jean King would undoubtedly have been remembered as a star tennis player but it was her match against Bobby Riggs that permanently cemented her in the hearts and minds of millions. That divisive “Battle of the Sexes” got the world charged up about tennis and when she went on to win the battle, it was clear that women’s tennis was a sport that should be taken seriously.
Billie was born in California in 1943, and although she had a strong background in tennis, no one would have thought that she would go on to make history as being the first woman tennis player to compete against a man – and win. The historic match is talked about to this day and it is without a doubt that if it had not been for the efforts of Billie Jean King, we might not have had Chris Evert, Venus and Serena Williams and the countless other women that have had a huge impact in this sport. Billie paved the way for them all.
In addition to her historic win, King cleaned up the courts for many years, winning title after title. Following her retirement, King founded the Women’s Tennis Association, as well as the Women’s Sports Foundation and World Team Tennis. Her commitment to women in sports is unmatched and she has made a difference in the lives of thousands of athletes.
She also had quite an impact in the gay community, and became the first woman sports star to “come out.” This cost her millions of dollars in lost endorsements, and she found little support from other players that were still hiding the fact that they were also gay. This strained numerous friendships, but Billie managed to weather the storm and throughout it all has remained a dedicated lover of tennis and an inspiration to athletes all over the world. Her efforts in the sport are still being felt today and she remains a very active member of the tennis and sports community.
What is she doing now?
Billie is involved in numerous charitable associations and is frequently honored for her achievements. Notably, the world’s largest sport’s facility now carries her name and she is well known for giving back to the community. Her work for AIDS research has been applauded time and time again and she remains active in the tennis community.
Championships:
Year Championship
1966 Wimbledon
1967 Wimbledon (2)
1967 U.S. Championships
1968 Australian Championships
1968 Wimbledon (3)
1971 US Open (2)
1972 French Open
1972 Wimbledon (4)
1972 US Open (3)
1973 Wimbledon (5)
1974 US Open (4)
1975 Wimbledon (6)
Interesting and Inspirational Quotes:
“A champion is afraid of losing. Everyone else is afraid of winning.”
“Champions keep playing until they get it right.”
“No matter how tough, no matter what kind of outside pressure, no matter how many bad breaks along the way, I must keep my sights on the final goal, to win, win, win -- and with more love and passion than the world has ever witnessed in any performance.”
Originally posted 2008-10-06 05:15:25. Republished by Old Post Promoter
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