Career Timeline of Billie Jean King: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Billie Jean King, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Billie Jean King, a former world No. 1 American tennis player, achieved remarkable success with 39 Grand Slam titles, comprising 12 singles, 16 women's doubles, and 11 mixed doubles victories. She significantly contributed to the United States' triumphs in seven Federation Cups and nine Wightman Cups, solidifying her legacy as a dominant force in women's tennis.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

1939: Bobby Riggs Wins Wimbledon

In 1939, Bobby Riggs won the Wimbledon men's singles title, a significant achievement early in his career.

1941: Bobby Riggs Ranked World No. 1

In 1941, Bobby Riggs was considered the World No. 1 male tennis player, highlighting his dominance in the sport.

1946: Bobby Riggs Ranked World No. 1

In 1946, Bobby Riggs was considered the World No. 1 male tennis player, highlighting his dominance in the sport.

1947: Bobby Riggs Ranked World No. 1

In 1947, Bobby Riggs was considered the World No. 1 male tennis player, highlighting his dominance in the sport.

1959: Early Career

From 1959 through 1965, Billie Jean King had thirteen unsuccessful attempts to win a Grand Slam singles title.

1959: Grand Slam Debut at U.S. Championships

In 1959, Billie Jean King made her Grand Slam debut at the U.S. Championships at the age of 15, losing in the first round. Her national tennis ranking was number 19.

1959: Grand Slam Debut

In 1959, Billie Jean King played her first Grand Slam singles event.

1960: First Tournament Win

In 1960, Billie Jean King won her first tournament at the Philadelphia and District Grass Court Championships and reached the final of the National Girls' 18 and Under Championships. Her national tennis ranking improved to number 4.

1961: King's Debut at Wimbledon

In 1961, Billie Jean King made her debut at Wimbledon, marking the start of a long and successful career at the championships.

1961: Wimbledon Women's Doubles Title

In 1961, Billie Jean King, at age 17, gained international recognition by winning the women's doubles title at Wimbledon with Karen Hantze. They were the youngest team to win the Wimbledon Doubles Title.

1962: Singles Upset and Doubles Win at Wimbledon

In 1962, Billie Jean King upset Margaret Court, the World No. 1, at Wimbledon. That same year, King and Hantze repeated their doubles victory at Wimbledon.

1963: Wimbledon Final Loss to Margaret Court

In 1963, Billie Jean King faced Margaret Court in the Wimbledon final but was defeated, marking a significant match in their rivalry.

1964: Commitment to Full-Time Tennis

In 1964, Billie Jean King decided to commit full-time to tennis, and she was offered financial support to train in Australia. She reached the Wimbledon semi-finals and lost to Margaret Court.

1964: Left College to Focus on Tennis

In 1964, Billie Jean King left Los Angeles State College (now California State University, Los Angeles) to focus on her tennis career, although she intended to return.

1965: First Year Without a Grand Slam Since 1965

1969 was the first year since 1965 that Billie Jean King did not win at least one Grand Slam singles title.

1965: Early Career

From 1959 through 1965, Billie Jean King had thirteen unsuccessful attempts to win a Grand Slam singles title.

1965: Loss to Margaret Court in U.S. Championships

In 1965, Billie Jean King lost in the final of the U.S. Championships to Margaret Court despite leading in both sets. The United States Lawn Tennis Association overruled their ranking committee's recommendation to award her the sole U.S. No. 1 position and ranked Nancy Richey Gunter and King as co-U.S. No. 1.

1965: King's Return to Australian Summer Tour

In December 1967, Billie Jean King returned to the Australian summer tour for the first time since 1965. She participated in seven events, frequently competing against Judy Tegart, winning four of their matches. King did not win any titles that year, though.

1966: Start of Grand Slam Rivalry

From 1966 through 1975, Billie Jean King and Margaret Court were primary rivals in Grand Slam tournaments, winning 24 of the 40 events held during this period.

1966: World No. 1 Ranking

From 1966 through 1975, Billie Jean King was the year-ending World No. 1 in six of those years.

1966: Wimbledon Singles Title

In 1966, after thirteen unsuccessful attempts to win a Grand Slam singles title, Billie Jean King finally won her first singles title at Wimbledon, defeating Maria Bueno in the final. She defeated Dorothy "Dodo" Cheney and Margaret Court earlier in the year.

1967: King Defends Title and Wins Grand Slam

In 1967, Billie Jean King successfully defended her title at the South African Tennis Championships, defeating Maria Bueno. She played in the French Championships for the first time, reaching the quarterfinals. She also won all her matches at the Federation Cup. King won her second consecutive Wimbledon singles title, and secured her second Grand Slam singles title at the U.S. Championships without dropping a set. King achieved a rare feat, winning the singles, women's doubles, and mixed doubles titles at both Wimbledon and the U.S. Championships. To end the year, King lost to Tegart in the final of the South Australian Championships in Adelaide.

1968: King Wins Australian Championships and Knee Surgery

In early 1968, Billie Jean King won three consecutive tournaments in Australia, including the Australian Championships for the first time. She continued her winning streak in the United States and Europe. At the US Open, she was upset in the final. On September 24, 1968, King underwent surgery to repair cartilage in her left knee, sidelining her for the rest of the year.

1969: King's Performance in 1969

In 1969, Billie Jean King participated in the Australian summer tour but did not win a tournament. She reached the final of the Australian Open, losing to Margaret Court. She won tournaments in South Africa and the United States. At Wimbledon, she lost in the final to Ann Haydon-Jones. King finished the year with titles at the Pacific Southwest Open, the Stockholm Indoors, and the Midland Pro.

September 1970: King's Activism and the Virginia Slims Invitational

In September 1970, Billie Jean King, along with eight other women, boycotted the Pacific Southwest Open due to the significant disparity in prize money between men and women. The top prize for men was $12,500, while for women it was only $1,500, with women not receiving expense coverage unless they made the quarterfinals. They organized the women-only Houston Virginia Slims Invitational, launching a series of women-only tournaments.

1970: King's Motivation for 1970

During the Pacific Southwest Open in 1969, Billie Jean King stated that she expected to have a big year in 1970 because she felt motivated and like a kid again.

1970: Margaret Court Wins Grand Slam

In 1970, Margaret Court won the Grand Slam, marking a significant achievement in her tennis career.

1971: King's Tournament Wins in 1971

1971 was the best year of Billie Jean King's career in terms of tournaments won, with a total of 17 titles. She played in 31 singles tournaments and had a win-loss record of 112-13.

1971: Start of Grand Slam Dominance

From 1971 through 1975, Billie Jean King began a period of dominance, winning seven of the ten Grand Slam singles tournaments she played.

1971: Formation of Women's Tennis Group

In 1971, Billie Jean King's husband, Larry King, conceived the idea to form a nine-player women's group with the backing of World Tennis magazine and Virginia Slims, marking a significant step towards professionalism in women's tennis.

1971: King's Decision Regarding the Australian Open

In 1972, Billie Jean King elected not to play the Australian Open, despite being nearby in New Zealand in late 1971.

1971: King Wins US Open and Earns $100,000

In August 1971, Billie Jean King won the US Open without losing a set. She also won tournaments in Houston, Indianapolis, Louisville, Phoenix, and London. King and Rosemary Casals defaulted at the Pepsi Pacific Southwest Open. In 1971, King became the first female tennis player to earn $100,000 a year, which earned her a congratulatory phone call from President Richard M. Nixon.

1971: King's Performance After Hurlingham Loss

In early May 1971, Billie Jean King lost to Christine Truman Janes at Hurlingham, but she recovered to win the German Open. She lost to Margaret Court at the Queen's Club tournament. At Wimbledon, she lost to Evonne Goolagong in the semi-finals. After Wimbledon, King won the Rothmans North of England Championships.

1972: King Wins French Open

In 1972, Billie Jean King won the French Open, completing a career singles Grand Slam.

1972: King Wins Three Grand Slam Titles in 1972

In 1972, Billie Jean King won three Grand Slam singles titles but chose not to play the Australian Open. Her dominance was aided by Margaret Court's absence due to childbirth.

1972: Career Grand Slam

In 1972, Billie Jean King's French Open win made her only the fifth woman in tennis history to win the singles titles at all four Grand Slam events, completing a "career Grand Slam".

September 20, 1973: Battle of the Sexes

On September 20, 1973, Billie Jean King defeated Bobby Riggs in the "Battle of the Sexes" match at the Houston Astrodome. The event garnered significant publicity and is considered a pivotal moment in promoting recognition and respect for women's tennis.

1973: First President of the Women's Tennis Association

In 1973, Billie Jean King became the first president of the Women's Tennis Association (WTA), marking a significant step in advocating for women's rights in tennis.

1973: King Completes Triple Crown and Defeats Riggs

In 1973, Billie Jean King completed the Triple Crown at Wimbledon, becoming the first player in the Open Era to do so. She also defeated Bobby Riggs in the Battle of the Sexes match. King won tournaments in Phoenix, Hawaii, and Tokyo and was the runner-up in Baltimore.

1973: King Defeats Bobby Riggs

In 1973, Billie Jean King defeated Bobby Riggs in an exhibition match, earning $100,000.

1973: Co-founding of World Team Tennis

In 1973, Billie Jean King's husband Larry co-founded World Team Tennis. Billie Jean King remained involved with the league for decades.

1973: Battle of the Sexes

In 1973, Billie Jean King, at the age of 29, famously won the "Battle of the Sexes" tennis match against 55-year-old Bobby Riggs. This event significantly contributed to her advocacy for gender equality. In 1973, she was also the founder of the Women's Tennis Association and the Women's Sports Foundation.

1973: Margaret Court's Dominance and King's Inconsistency

In 1973, Margaret Court won three Grand Slam singles titles, establishing herself as the world No. 1. Billie Jean King began the year inconsistently, missing tournaments due to a wrist injury, but later defeating Court in the semi-finals of the Virginia Slims of Indianapolis tournament, ending Court's winning streaks.

1973: Equal Prize Money at US Open

In 1973, the US Open became the first major tournament to offer equal prize money for men and women after Billie Jean King advocated for it.

1974: King's Tournament Successes and US Open Victory

In 1974, Billie Jean King won five of the first seven tournaments she entered, including the Virginia Slims of San Francisco. She won her fourth US Open singles title, defeating Evonne Goolagong in the final. However, she did not reach another tournament final for the rest of the year.

1974: Founding of womenSports Magazine and the Women's Sports Foundation

In 1974, Billie Jean King, along with her husband Larry King and Jim Jorgensen, founded womenSports magazine and started the Women's Sports Foundation, promoting women's sports and providing resources and opportunities for female athletes.

1974: WTT Began

In 1974, World Team Tennis (WTT) began.

1975: Height of Grand Slam Rivalry

From 1966 through 1975, Billie Jean King and Margaret Court were primary rivals in Grand Slam tournaments, winning 24 of the 40 events held during this period.

1975: World No. 1 Ranking

From 1966 through 1975, Billie Jean King was the year-ending World No. 1 in six of those years.

1975: Continued Grand Slam Success

From 1971 through 1975, Billie Jean King continued her dominance, winning seven of the ten Grand Slam singles tournaments she played.

1975: King's Wimbledon Victory and Temporary Retirement

In 1975, Billie Jean King only played singles for half the year, retiring from tournament singles competition after winning her sixth Wimbledon singles title.

1976: King's Previous Wimbledon Appearance

In 1976, Billie Jean King competed at Wimbledon where she reached a final. From 1961 until 1976, she had played in the final of one of the three championship events for women every year.

1976: Limited Singles Play and Knee Surgery

In 1976, Billie Jean King primarily focused on doubles and mixed doubles events, partnering with Phil Dent to win the mixed doubles title at the US Open. She underwent knee surgery for the third time on November 9 and did not play for the rest of the year.

March 1977: King Requests Wild Card and Plays in San Antonio

In March 1977, Billie Jean King requested a wild card entry to the Virginia Slims Championships. She also participated in the Lionel Cup tournament in San Antonio, Texas, which was criticized due to the inclusion of Renée Richards, a transgender athlete. King eventually won the tournament.

1977: Wimbledon Quarterfinal Loss to Evert

In 1977, at Wimbledon, Billie Jean King lost to Chris Evert in the quarterfinals, marking the first time she lost to Evert at a Grand Slam singles tournament and the first time at Wimbledon that King did not reach a final. This was the first time since 1961 that King did not reach a final at Wimbledon.

1978: Singles and Doubles Play

In 1978, Billie Jean King participated in ten singles tournaments during the first half of the year. After Wimbledon, she limited herself to doubles.

1978: US Open Doubles Title and Federation Cup Victory

In 1978, Billie Jean King teamed with Martina Navratilova to win the women's doubles title at the US Open. She was also undefeated in five doubles matches as the U.S. won the Federation Cup in Melbourne, Australia. King also hinted at retirement from future major singles competitions due to continued surgery.

1979: Limited Play Due to Surgery

During the first half of 1979, Billie Jean King only participated in one event, doubles in the Federation Cup tie against Spain, due to her foot surgery in December 1978.

1979: 1979 Wimbledon quarterfinal

In 1979, Tracy Austin defeated Billie Jean King in the Wimbledon quarterfinal.

1979: Top Players Choose King

In 1979, top players like Martina Navratilova and Rosemary Casals picked Billie Jean King as the player they would want to help them recover from a hypothetical deficit of 1–5 (15–40) in the third set of a match on Wimbledon's Centre Court, citing her resilience and skill under pressure.

1980: King Competes at Wimbledon Without Reaching Final

In 1980, Billie Jean King competed at Wimbledon but did not reach a final, breaking her streak of reaching a final every year since 1961.

1980: French Open Appearance and Quarterfinal Loss

In 1980, Billie Jean King played in the French Open for the first time since winning it in 1972. She was seeded second but lost in the quarterfinals to Dianne Fromholtz Balestrat.

1981: Final Grand Slam Title and Partnership Change

In 1981, Billie Jean King teamed with Martina Navratilova to win her 39th and final Grand Slam title at the US Open. Navratilova later decided to seek a new doubles partner, ending their partnership.

1982: League commissioner of World TeamTennis

In 1982, Billie Jean King became the league commissioner of World TeamTennis, furthering her involvement in the sport's development.

1982: King Competes at Wimbledon Without Reaching Final

In 1982, Billie Jean King competed at Wimbledon but did not reach a final, marking one of the few times in her career where she didn't reach at least the semi-finals in an event.

1982: Comeback and Wimbledon semi-final

In 1982, King started a comeback, securing her first singles title in over two years at the Edgbaston Cup in Birmingham. She reached the semi-finals at Wimbledon, becoming the oldest female semi-finalist since 1920, before being defeated by Chris Evert. King ended 1982 ranked 14th in the world after beginning the year in retirement.

1983: Final Wimbledon Appearance

In 1983, Billie Jean King made her final appearance at Wimbledon, reaching the semi-finals before losing to Andrea Jaeger.

1983: Last Grand Slam Singles Event

In 1983, Billie Jean King played her last Grand Slam singles event.

1983: Final Singles Match and Wimbledon Titles

In 1983, Billie Jean King won the Edgbaston Cup, becoming the oldest WTA player to win a singles tournament. Her final official singles match was a loss at the Australian Open. Also in 1983, King's tally of 20 Wimbledon titles remained.

1984: Wimbledon mixed doubles withdrawal

In 1984, Billie Jean King and Vijay Amritraj were seeded sixth for the Wimbledon mixed doubles, but they withdrew before the tournament began.

1984: Major Owner in World TeamTennis

In 1984, Billie Jean King became a major owner in World TeamTennis, increasing her influence and investment in the sport.

March 1990: Retirement from competitive play in doubles

In March 1990, Billie Jean King retired from competitive play in doubles after losing a second round match at the Virginia Slims of Florida tournament.

1996: Fed Cup Championship and Olympic Gold Medals

In 1996, Billie Jean King guided the U.S. to the Fed Cup championship and helped Lindsay Davenport, Gigi Fernández, and Mary Joe Fernández capture Olympic gold medals as coach of its women's Olympic tennis squad.

2012: Involvement with Foundations and President's Council

As of 2012, Billie Jean King was involved with the Women's Sports Foundation and the Elton John AIDS Foundation. She also served on the President's Council for Fitness, Sports and Nutrition.

2017: King sold her ownership stake of WTT

In 2017, Billie Jean King sold her majority ownership stake of the World Team Tennis league to Mark Ein and Fred Luddy.

September 2018: Minority Ownership of Los Angeles Dodgers and Sparks

In September 2018, Billie Jean King and Ilana Kloss became minority owners of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team and the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks basketball team.

October 2020: Ownership in Angel City FC

In October 2020, Billie Jean King and Ilana Kloss joined the ownership group of Angel City FC, a Los Angeles-based team in the National Women's Soccer League.

March 2021: Advisor to First Women's Bank

In March 2021, it was announced that Billie Jean King would be an advisor to First Women's Bank in Chicago.

May 2022: Partnership with PWHPA

In May 2022, The Mark Walter Group and BJK Enterprises partnered with the Professional Women's Hockey Players Association (PWHPA) to create a new women’s ice hockey league in North America.

2022: Start of Angel City FC

In 2022, Angel City FC, of which Billie Jean King is part of the ownership group, was set to start playing in the National Women's Soccer League.

June 29, 2023: Purchase of Premier Hockey Federation

On June 29, 2023, The Mark Walter Group and BJK Enterprises, headed by Mark Walter and Billie Jean King, respectively, purchased the Premier Hockey Federation (PHF).