Billie Jean King (previous world number one) is a well-known tennis player. She won 39 major titles, including 16 singles titles, 16 women’s doubles titles and 11 mixed doubles championships. In addition, she played for the United States national team in seven Federation Cups and nine Wightman Cups.
Billie Jean King is a career
Billie Jean King was one of the most accomplished female athletes of all time. She was born on November 22, 1942 in Long Beach. Billie Jean, an athlete naturally, started playing softball when she was a kid and then switched to tennis at age 11. King was encouraged to start lessons by her father. Clyde Walker would offer free lessons for King when she was younger. King was known for her aggressive style and made opponents make mistakes.
She fights for equal tennis pay
Billie Jean King, the first professional female tennis player, was a strong advocate for gender equality. She used her tennis career for this cause. In a "Battle of the Sexes", King faced Bobby Riggs, a notorious male chauvinist. Riggs, a self-proclaimed man chauvinist, wanted women's tennis to be superior to men. King defeated Riggs straight sets. This match was watched by over 90 million people. King received $100,000 in prize money.
She has been a vocal advocate for lesbian and gay rights
Billie Jean King, an American icon in sports history, is Billie Jean King. As the first openly gay woman to win the Grand Slam, she changed the face of the game. The 50 million viewers who watched Bobby Riggs win the 1973 Grand Slam were stunned. It was a major turning point for female athletes. King was uncomfortable with her sexuality even though she was 51.
Her boldest statement yet
Billie Jean King’s bold first utterance is important for a variety reasons. It's a statement about her gender which is rarely addressed to women. Second, it's not about sex. It is about empowerment of women. Most female celebrities are well-known for their appearances and marriages. However, the most important ones are known for their advocacy on behalf of women. Some of these women include Cybill Shepherd, Pat Nixon, Betty Friedan, and others.
Her life mission
Billie Jean King made it her life's mission to empower women and girls in sport. She did this by founding the Women's Tennis Association, piloting the Virginia Slims tour, and campaigning for Title IX funding, which calls for equal funding for men's and women's sports. Her accomplishments include being the first person to publicly identify herself as gay, and continuing to advocate for equality in sport today.
Her legacy
Billie Jean King's legacy goes beyond her tennis abilities. American tennis player Billie Jean King was the only woman to make Time magazine’s list as the 100 most influential Americans of 20th century. She also founded the Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative and World TeamTennis, a professional mixed-gender tennis league.