06/04/2026
Billie Jean King didn’t just change the game — she changed the rules.
A 39-time Grand Slam tennis champion, King dominated the court and challenged the systems around it.
In 1973, she defeated Bobby Riggs in the historic Battle of the Sexes, a cultural moment that transcended tennis and sparked a global conversation about gender equality. She didn't stop there.
That same year, she also founded the Women’s Tennis Association, giving women athletes a unified voice and a platform to fight for fair pay and opportunity.
Because of King's courage, women now compete for equal prize money at Grand Slams and are recognized for their impact both on and off the court. 🎾
📷: The New York Times