Billie Jean King: Transforming the World of Women’s Sports

BY AVA GUARINO

Billie Jean King is undoubtedly one of the most recognized faces of tennis, and for good reason. Without King’s influence, there would still be massive inequity for female tennis players and athletes worldwide. 

Since the start of her tennis career, King has advocated for men and women to receive equal prize money. While she became the first female athlete to earn more than $100,000 as her prize in the 1972 U.S. Open, she was still unsettled by the fact that she earned $15,000 less than the Open’s male champion. Longing for change, King founded the Women’s Tennis Association in 1973, (not to mention the same year she beat Bobby Riggs in the “Battle of the Sexes” match) and continued to fight for equal prize money at the U.S. Open. Because of King’s determination and passionate mindset, the U.S. Open became the first tournament to give equal prize money to the male and female champions. 

Billie Jean King poses with trophy after winning the “Battle of the Sexes” tennis match on September 20th, 1973. Getty Images

Empowered by the positive change she created, King went on to create the Women’s Sports Foundation, providing girls with worldwide access to sports. Today, the Women’s Sports Foundation “funds groundbreaking research, provides financial assistance to aspiring champion athletes, and educates and advocates on behalf of female athletes in the United States and around the world.”

2023 U.S. Open theme art created by Brazilian artist Camila Pinheiro. U.S. Open

At the 2023 U.S. Open, Billie Jean King’s impact was recognized as 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of the U.S. Open’s offering of equal prize money. The United States Tennis Association promoted the 50th anniversary of equal prize money through social media platforms, artwork, journalism, and writing. King’s influence remains relevant 50 years later because of her willingness to move beyond the status quo and stand up for what she believed in.