Introduction
Billie Jean King is not just a name in the annals of tennis history; she is a trailblazer who shattered barriers in sports and society. From advocating for equal prize money in tennis to becoming one of the first well-known openly gay athletes, King’s legacy is one of courage, tenacity, and unyielding commitment to equality. This article delves into the life, career, and lasting impact of Billie Jean King.
Who Is Billie Jean King?
Billie Jean King rose to the pinnacle of women’s tennis by 1967, becoming the top-ranked player in the world. Her influence extended beyond the tennis courts when she founded the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) in 1973 and famously defeated Bobby Riggs in the “Battle of the Sexes.” As one of the first prominent female athletes to openly admit her homosexuality, King has continued her journey as a powerful social activist even after her retirement from tennis.
Athletic Beginnings
A Family Rooted in Sports
Born Billie Jean Moffitt on November 22, 1943, in Long Beach, California, King grew up in a family where sports were a significant part of life. Her father, Bill, was an athlete who nearly made it to the NBA before becoming a firefighter, while her mother, Betty, excelled as a swimmer. King’s younger brother, Randy, went on to become a Major League Baseball pitcher.
From Softball to Tennis
King’s first love was softball. At just 10 years old, she played shortstop on a team of older girls that won the city championship. However, her parents encouraged her to take up a more “ladylike” sport, leading her to the tennis courts at the age of 11.
Early Career
First Signs of a Champion
In 1958, Billie Jean King first made her mark by winning the Southern California championship for her age group. A year later, she began training under the tutelage of Alice Marble, a former women’s tennis star. King’s breakthrough came in 1961 when she and Karen Hantze Susman became the youngest duo to win the Wimbledon women’s doubles title, marking her arrival on the international stage.
Balancing Tennis and Education
While attending California State University, Los Angeles, from 1961 to 1964, King continued to participate in tournaments. Despite mixed results in various competitions, she realized the need for more rigorous training. King intensified her practice regimen, focusing on refining her skills, which laid the foundation for her future success.
Major Singles Titles and Rise to No. 1
The First Major Victory
King’s first major singles title came at Wimbledon in 1966. She defended this title successfully for the next two years, establishing her dominance in women’s tennis. In 1967, she clinched her first U.S. Open singles championship and followed it up with her only Australian Open victory in 1968. That same year, King was ranked as the world’s No. 1 in women’s tennis, and she turned professional, taking her career to new heights.
Consistency and Excellence
Known for her speed, net play, and powerful backhand, King was a consistent force in the world of tennis. Her stellar performance in 1972, where she won the U.S. Open, French Open, and Wimbledon, earned her three Grand Slam titles in a single year, solidifying her status as one of the sport’s all-time greats.
The ‘Battle of the Sexes’
Setting the Stage
Billie Jean King’s tennis accomplishments are numerous, but she is perhaps best known for her 1973 match against former men’s champion Bobby Riggs, famously dubbed the “Battle of the Sexes.” Riggs, who was 55 years old at the time, had developed a chauvinistic persona, taunting top female players to compete against him. After easily defeating Margaret Court in the “Mother’s Day Massacre,” Riggs set his sights on King.
A Historic Showdown
On September 20, 1973, the much-anticipated match took place at the Houston Astrodome. King embraced the spectacle, arriving on the court carried by four muscular men, while Riggs made his entrance on a rickshaw pulled by women dubbed “Bobby’s Bosom Buddies.” However, when the match began, King was all business. She decisively defeated Riggs in straight sets, with an estimated 90 million viewers tuning in.
Impact of the Victory
King later revealed the immense pressure she felt that day, stating, “I thought it would set us back 50 years if I didn’t win that match.” Her victory was more than just a personal triumph; it was a significant moment for women’s sports and gender equality.
Equal Pay Activism, WTA, and WTT
Championing Equality in Tennis
Never one to shy away from controversy, King boldly voiced her opinion that tennis needed to break away from its exclusive “country-club” image and offer equal prize money for men and women. In 1970, she joined the newly formed Virginia Slims Tour for women, and by 1971, she became the first female athlete to earn over $100,000 in prize money in a single year. However, King was discontent with the pay disparities faced by her fellow female athletes.
Founding the Women’s Tennis Association
In 1973, King played a pivotal role in establishing the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA). Leveraging her status as the sport’s most celebrated player, she threatened to boycott the 1973 U.S. Open unless the pay gap between male and female players was addressed. Her demands were met, and the U.S. Open became the first major tournament to offer equal prize money to both genders.
Pioneering Co-ed Tennis
The following year, King, along with her husband Larry King, founded the World TeamTennis (WTT) co-ed circuit. As the player-coach of the Philadelphia Freedoms, she became one of the first women to coach professional male athletes, breaking yet another gender barrier in the world of sports.
Later Tennis Career and Retirement
A Brief Retirement and Return
King initially retired from singles competition after her Wimbledon victory in 1975. However, her love for the game brought her back to singles play in 1977, and she continued to compete until 1983. Even as she aged, King remained a dominant force in doubles, winning Wimbledon in 1979 and the U.S. Open in 1980. She played sporadically in doubles matches until she officially retired in 1990.
A Record-Breaking Career
Over her illustrious career, King won 39 major titles across singles, doubles, and mixed doubles categories, including a record 20 Wimbledon titles. Her legacy as a champion is cemented not just by the trophies she earned but by the barriers she broke along the way.
Acknowledging Her Sexuality
Personal Struggles and Public Revelation
King married Larry King in 1965, but she soon found herself grappling with her feelings for women. In 1981, her private life became public when a former female personal assistant and lover filed a lawsuit against her. King became the first prominent female athlete to publicly acknowledge her homosexuality, a revelation that cost her endorsements but made her a trailblazer for the LGBT community.
Life After Marriage
King divorced her husband in 1987 and entered into a long-term relationship with former tennis player Ilana Kloss. Together, they have remained committed to activism, using their platforms to advocate for LGBT rights and gender equality.
Tennis and LGBT Ambassador
Continued Involvement in Tennis
Inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1987, King remained deeply involved in tennis throughout the 1990s, working as a television commentator and serving as captain of the U.S. team during the 1996 and 2000 Summer Olympics. In 2006, the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center was named in her honor, a testament to her enduring impact on the sport.
Recognition Beyond Tennis
King’s influence extends far beyond the tennis court. In 2009, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States, in recognition of her contributions to sports and society. King has also served on the board of the Women’s Sports Foundation, which she founded during her playing days, and has been an active director for the Elton John AIDS Foundation and the National AIDS Fund.
‘Battle of the Sexes’ Movie
A Story Worth Telling
The story of King’s historic 1973 match against Bobby Riggs was brought to the big screen in the 2017 film Battle of the Sexes, with Emma Stone portraying King and Steve Carell as Riggs. The film was well-received, earning both Stone and Carell Golden Globe nominations for their performances.
Previous Dramatizations
Before the 2017 movie, the saga was depicted in the 2001 TV movie When Billie Beat Bobby, starring Holly Hunter as King and Ron Silver as Riggs. These dramatizations continue to highlight the cultural significance of King’s victory and her broader contributions to gender equality.
Quotes
- “A champion is afraid of losing. Everyone else is afraid of winning.”
- “I didn’t get comfortable in my own skin until I was 51 about being gay.”
- “That’s the way I want the world to look: men and women working together, championing each other, helping each other, promoting each other — we’re all in this world together.”
Conclusion
Billie Jean King’s legacy is one of determination, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to equality. Whether on the tennis court or in the realm of social activism, King has been a force for change, inspiring generations of athletes and activists alike. Her story is a powerful reminder that sports can be a platform for broader societal transformation, and her contributions continue to resonate in today’s fight for gender and LGBT equality.
FAQs
- What was Billie Jean King’s greatest achievement in tennis?
- Billie Jean King’s greatest achievement in tennis is her 39 major titles, including a record 20 Wimbledon titles. However, her victory in the 1973 “Battle of the Sexes” match against Bobby Riggs remains one of her most iconic moments.
- How did Billie Jean King contribute to gender equality in sports?
- King played a pivotal role in advocating for equal prize money for women in tennis. She was instrumental in founding the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) and ensured that the U.S. Open became the first major tournament to offer equal prize money to both men and women.
- Why is Billie Jean King considered a pioneer in LGBT rights?
- King was one of the first prominent female athletes to publicly acknowledge her homosexuality, which made her a trailblazer for LGBT rights. Despite losing endorsements, she used her platform to advocate for equality and became a role model for the LGBT community.
- What honors has Billie Jean King received for her contributions?
- King has received numerous honors, including induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center is also named in her honor.
- What impact did the “Battle of the Sexes” match have on society?
- The “Battle of the Sexes” match was a significant cultural event that highlighted gender disparities in sports. King’s victory was a triumph not just for herself, but for women’s sports and the broader movement for gender equality.
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