Billie Jean King

Billie Jean King is a former world No. 1 professional tennis player. She dominated women’s tennis with 39 Grand Slam -12 singles, 12 doubles and 11 mixed doubles titles. In non-Grand Slam events she recorded 129 wins in 183 finals. She let go a golden opportunity to win all four Grand Slam events in a single year. She was attracted to tennis at an early age and shot to limelight partnering with Karen Hantze to win the doubles final at Wimbledon. Her name is associated with the iconic Battle of Sexes match that she played and won against Bobby Riggs. The much publicized event did much to prove the equality of sexes and had a positive impact on women’s self-respect. Continuing her role as a crusader for women’s cause, she protested the unequal prize money given to male and female players. She staked her career and joined 8 other women to form the rebel Virginia Slims Tour. Their efforts bore fruit and the U.S Open offered equal prize money to men and women players. In her personal life, she did not shy away from placing her lesbianism in public. After her retirement, she became a television commentator and coach. She continues to be involved in tennis in various ways.