Billie Jean King
Early Life and Background
Billie Jean King was born on November 22, 1943, in Long Beach, California. She was the daughter of Betty Moffitt, a homemaker, and Bill Moffitt, a firefighter. From an early age, King exhibited a keen interest in sports, particularly tennis. She began playing tennis at the age of 11 and quickly demonstrated exceptional talent. Her early training took place at the public courts in Long Beach, where she was coached by Clyde Walker. By the age of 15, she won her first major title at the Southern California Championships.
Tennis Career
Early Career
King's professional career began in earnest in 1960 when she won the Philadelphia and Pacific Southwest Championships. Her aggressive playing style, characterized by a powerful serve-and-volley game, quickly set her apart from her peers. In 1961, she won her first Grand Slam title in the women's doubles at Wimbledon, partnering with Karen Hantze Susman.
Grand Slam Success
King's dominance in tennis was most evident in her Grand Slam performances. She won a total of 39 Grand Slam titles: 12 in singles, 16 in women's doubles, and 11 in mixed doubles. Her first singles Grand Slam victory came at Wimbledon in 1966, where she defeated Maria Bueno. She went on to win the Wimbledon singles title six times, a record she shares with several other players.
Battle of the Sexes
One of the most iconic moments in King's career was the 1973 "Battle of the Sexes" match against Bobby Riggs. Riggs, a former Wimbledon champion, claimed that the women's game was inferior to the men's. King accepted his challenge and defeated him in straight sets, a victory that was seen as a significant moment for gender equality in sports.
Later Career and Retirement
King continued to compete at a high level into the late 1970s and early 1980s. She won her final Grand Slam title in mixed doubles at Wimbledon in 1979. King retired from competitive tennis in 1983 but remained active in the sport as a coach, commentator, and advocate.
Advocacy and Legacy
Gender Equality and Women's Rights
King has been a tireless advocate for gender equality and women's rights throughout her career. She was instrumental in the formation of the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) in 1973, which aimed to provide better opportunities and pay for female tennis players. King also played a key role in the establishment of the Virginia Slims Circuit, which eventually became the WTA Tour.
LGBTQ+ Advocacy
In 1981, King became one of the first prominent athletes to come out as gay. Her decision to publicly acknowledge her sexuality was a significant moment in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights. King has since been an advocate for LGBTQ+ issues, working with various organizations to promote equality and acceptance.
Awards and Honors
King's contributions to tennis and society have been widely recognized. She was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1987. In 2009, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States, for her work in promoting gender equality and social justice.
Personal Life
King married Larry King, a law student, in 1965. The couple divorced in 1987. King later had a long-term relationship with her former doubles partner, Ilana Kloss. King has been open about the challenges she faced in her personal life, including her struggles with her sexuality and the pressures of being a public figure.