One of the most influential people in the history of modern women’s athletics is Billie Jean King.
She came into prominence at a time in which women’s sports were an afterthought and she was instrumental in leading the way for women to be respected for their ability as top-level competitors. She transcended the sport of tennis and was an inspiration to women who played any sport. Simply put, women’s athletics would not be where it is today without the efforts of Billie Jean King.
Let’s take a closer look at her career and analyze why she would’ve been the wisest bet at any top-rated sportsbook.
Professional Record
Billie Jean King won:
- 39 Grand Slam titles
- 12 singles titles
- 16 titles in doubles
- 11 titles in mixed doubles
Battle of the Sexes
Billie Jean King is famous for winning the “Battle of the Sexes” in 1973.
This match between King and Bobby Riggs was monumental in showing that women’s athletics were not a joke and that these women players were achieving a high level of accomplishment that deserved honor and recognition.
In a showman-like stunt, Bobby Riggs had derided women’s players and gloated that he could beat any of them. When King was able to win, it was not only a victory for her but for women worldwide. King won a best 3 out of 5 match in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3.
This was one of the most important matches in King’s career. She felt that a loss to a 55-year-old man could ruin the potential for a women’s tour. Therefore, entering the match she felt like she had the weight of women’s athletics on her back. Fortunately, she carried the weight properly, and despite all the pressure on her as she was representing women worldwide, she was able to come through and get the victory.
Not only did King defeat the loudmouth Bobby Riggs, she was the founder of the Women’s Tennis Association, which still runs the sport of women’s tennis today. Women’s tennis is the most lucrative sport for women to play, and King was instrumental in making sure that they were compensated properly for their excellent abilities. The visibility of women’s athletics was spearheaded by the WTA. Without the WTA, we might not have a WNBA or a LPGA.
King proved that women’s sports can be just as exciting and profitable as men’s sports.
From Rackets to Revenue
King was not only victorious on the court but in the boardroom as well.
A huge part of the success of the Women’s Tennis Association was her ability to get Virginia Slims to sponsor the tour. With corporate sponsorship by her side, salaries were able to increase and the visibility of the sport to the nation was increased tenfold.
Billie Jean King played 51 Grand Slam singles events spanning from 1959 to 1983. She made the semifinals in 27 of those matches and made the quarterfinals in 40 of her 51 Grand Slam entries.
In all, King won 129 singles titles. She was dominant on the court and known for her quick defensive ability as well as deft touch at the net.
King’s Reign
King was also vital for the Federation Cup, in which the teams played to represent their nations.
This was the early days of international sport and was a much bigger deal then compared to now. She helped the United States team win seven times between 1963 and 1979. In Fed Cup matches, she was 52-4 and ended her Fed Cup career on a 30-match winning streak.
In all, Billie Jean King won the Australian Open and French Open once. She was the Wimbledon champion six times and won four US Open titles in the singles. Yet her accomplishments off the court pale to this excellent career.
Not only was Billie Jean King one of the best tennis players the world has ever seen, but her leadership and vision for the future inspired and shaped women’s athletics today. Billie Jean King was instrumental in the passage of Title !X, which ensures that women’s sports get the same amount of funding as men’s sports. This bill has led to the dominance of women’s athletics from the United States on the world stage today. Women today know that if they excel in a sport, they have plenty of scholarship opportunities. Her activism and leadership in promoting women’s sports have enriched the lives of millions of women in America.
Billie Jean King was a great tennis player and a greater human being. Due to her accomplishments on and off the court, she forever changed the sporting landscape and created opportunities for the women who would follow her.
