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, is considered one of the greatest of all time. She accumulated 39 Grand Slam titles across singles, women's doubles, and mixed doubles. King also contributed to the United States' victories in seven Federation Cups and nine Wightman Cups. Beyond her athletic achievements, King is known for her advocacy for gender equality in sports and society.

Sections (7)

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

1920: Dorothea Douglass Lambert Chambers at Wimbledon

In 1920, Dorothea Douglass Lambert Chambers was the oldest female semi-finalist at Wimbledon

1939: Riggs Wins Wimbledon

In 1939, Bobby Riggs won the Wimbledon men's singles title.

1939: First woman since Alice Marble to win singles, women's doubles, and mixed doubles titles

In 1967, Billie Jean King won the singles, women's doubles, and mixed doubles titles at both Wimbledon and the U.S. Championships, becoming the first woman to achieve this feat since Alice Marble in 1939.

1941: Riggs World No. 1

In 1941, Bobby Riggs was considered the World No. 1 male tennis player.

1946: Riggs World No. 1

In 1946, Bobby Riggs was considered the World No. 1 male tennis player.

1947: Riggs World No. 1

In 1947, Bobby Riggs was considered the World No. 1 male tennis player.

1959: Previous attempts to win a Grand Slam singles title

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

1959: Grand Slam Debut

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: Started Grand Slam singles events

In 1959, Billie Jean King started playing in Grand Slam singles events.

1960: First Tournament Win

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

1961: King's Wimbledon Debut

In 1961, Billie Jean King made her debut at Wimbledon.

1961: Wimbledon Debut and Doubles Title

In 1961, at Wimbledon, Billie Jean King won the women's doubles title in her first attempt, partnering with Karen Hantze. They were the youngest team to win the Wimbledon Doubles Title. In singles, King lost to Yola Ramírez.

1962: Wimbledon Singles Upset and Doubles Victory

In 1962, at Wimbledon, Billie Jean King upset Margaret Court in a second round singles match. It was the first time in Wimbledon history that the women's top seed had lost her first match. She and Hantze also repeated their doubles victory at Wimbledon.

1963: Wimbledon Final Loss

In 1963, Billie Jean King faced Margaret Court in the Wimbledon final, where Court prevailed.

1963: Federation Cup Victory

In 1963, Billie Jean King was on the winning United States team in the Federation Cup.

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.

1964: Minor Titles and Wimbledon Semi-Finals

In 1964, Billie Jean King won four relatively minor titles but lost to Margaret Court in the Wimbledon semi-finals. She also defeated Ann Haydon-Jones at both the Wightman Cup and Fed Cup but lost to Court in the final of the Federation Cup. She made a full-time commitment to tennis and decided to train in Australia.

1965: Previous attempts to win a Grand Slam singles title

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

1965: Continued Australian Tour and Wimbledon Semi-Finals

In 1965, Billie Jean King continued her tour of Australia, losing in the final of the South Australian Championships and the first round of the Western Australia Championships. At Wimbledon, she lost in the semi-finals to Maria Bueno. She finished the year at the U.S. Championships, losing to Court in the final. For the first time in 81 years, the annual convention of the United States Lawn Tennis Association overruled its ranking committee's recommendation to award her the sole U.S. No. 1 position and voted to rank Nancy Richey Gunter and King as co-U.S. No. 1.

1965: First Year without a Grand Slam Title Since 1965

In 1969, Billie Jean King did not win at least one Grand Slam singles title, marking the first year since 1965 that she had not achieved this feat.

1965: Return to Australian Summer Tour

In December 1967, Billie Jean King returned to the Australian summer tour for the first time since 1965, participating in seven events and facing Judy Tegart in six of them.

1966: World No. 1 Ranking

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

1966: Start of Grand Slam Record

From 1966 through 1975, Billie Jean King's Grand Slam record was comparable to that of Margaret Court. One or both women played 35 of the 40 Grand Slam singles tournaments held during this period, and together they won 24 of them.

1966: First Wimbledon Singles Title

In 1966, Billie Jean King finally won the first of her six singles titles at Wimbledon and the first of twelve Grand Slam singles titles overall, defeating Margaret Court in the semi-finals and Maria Bueno in the final. That year, she also defeated Dorothy "Dodo" Cheney at the Southern California Championships and Margaret Court in the final of the South African Tennis Championships. Also, she won the women's singles in the Ojai Tennis Tournament. She also defeated Virginia Wade and Ann Haydon-Jones at the Wightman Cup.

1966: Federation Cup Victory

In 1966, Billie Jean King was part of the victorious United States team in the Federation Cup.

1967: King Criticizes USLTA "Shamateurism"

In 1967, Billie Jean King criticized the United States Lawn Tennis Association (USLTA) for its "shamateurism", where top players were paid under the table, which she argued was corrupt and elitist.

1967: South African Tennis Championships victory and Wimbledon singles title

In 1967, Billie Jean King successfully defended her title at the South African Tennis Championships by defeating Maria Bueno in the final. She also played in the French Championships for the first time, reaching the quarterfinals. A week later, at the Federation Cup in West Germany, she won all four of her matches. King then won her second consecutive Wimbledon singles title, defeating Virginia Wade in the quarterfinals and Jones. At the Wightman Cup, King again defeated Wade and Jones. She won the U.S. Championships, her second Grand Slam singles title of the year, without losing a set.

1967: Federation Cup Victory

In 1967, Billie Jean King was part of the victorious United States team in the Federation Cup.

1968: Australian Championships win and knee surgery

In early 1968, Billie Jean King won three consecutive tournaments, including the Australian Championships. She later had surgery on September 24, 1968, to repair cartilage in her left knee, causing her to miss the rest of the year's tournaments.

1969: Australian Open Final Loss and Elbow Injury

In 1969, Billie Jean King participated in the Australian summer tour but did not win a tournament, losing in the final of the Australian Open to Margaret Court. She revealed that she was bothered by a severe tennis elbow for seven months.

September 1970: Pacific Southwest Open and Houston Virginia Slims invitational

In September 1970, at the Pacific Southwest Open, the prize money for men was $12,500, while for women it was $1,500. Billie Jean King and other women did not play in the tournament because of the budget differences, and they were willing to take the risk of expulsion from the U.S. Lawn Tennis Association. King and the other women organized the women-only Houston Virginia Slims invitational.

1970: Margaret Court Wins Grand Slam

In 1970, Margaret Court won the Grand Slam.

1971: Most Tournaments Won in a Single Year

Although Billie Jean King won only one Grand Slam singles title in 1971, she won 17 tournaments and compiled a 112–13 win–loss record. The International Tennis Hall of Fame considered this to be the best year of her career in terms of tournaments won.

1971: Grand Slam Success

From 1971 through 1975, Billie Jean King won seven of the ten Grand Slam singles tournaments she played. She won the last seven Grand Slam singles finals she contested.

1971: Women's Group Formed

In 1971, Larry King created the idea to form a nine player women's group with the financial backing of World Tennis magazine founder Gladys Heldman and the sponsorship of Virginia Slims chairman Joe Cullman.

1971: US Open Win and First Female Tennis Player to Earn $100,000

In August 1971, Billie Jean King won the US Open without losing a set, defeating Chris Evert in the semi-finals and Rosemary Casals in the final. She also became the first female tennis player to earn $100,000 a year, which prompted a congratulatory phone call from President Richard M. Nixon.

1971: German Open win and Wimbledon semi-final loss

In early May 1971, Billie Jean King lost to Christine Truman Janes at Hurlingham, but recovered to win the German Open in Hamburg. She also lost to Margaret Court at the Queen's Club tournament in London. At Wimbledon, King lost in the semi-finals to Evonne Goolagong.

1971: King played in New Zealand

In late 1971, Billie Jean King played in New Zealand, leading up to the year of 1972 when she did not play in the Australian Open despite being nearby in New Zealand.

1972: King Wins French Open

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

1972: King Wins US Open with Unequal Prize Money

In 1972, Billie Jean King won the US Open but received US$15,000 less than the men's champion, Ilie Năstase, highlighting gender inequality in prize money.

1972: Career Grand Slam

In 1972, Billie Jean King's French Open win made her the fifth woman in tennis history to achieve a "career Grand Slam" by winning the singles titles at all four Grand Slam events. She also achieved a career Grand Slam in mixed doubles, though the Australian Open eluded her in women's doubles.

1972: Dominance Aided by Court's Absence and Focus on Virginia Slims

In 1972, Billie Jean King's dominance was aided by rival Margaret Court's absence due to childbirth. King elected not to play the Australian Open to focus on Virginia Slims winter tournaments.

September 20, 1973: Battle of the Sexes

On September 20, 1973, Billie Jean King defeated Bobby Riggs in the "Battle of the Sexes" at the Houston Astrodome. The match was watched by over 30,000 spectators and an estimated 50 million U.S. television viewers, and 90 million across 37 countries. King won 6–4, 6–3, 6–3. The event is considered significant in promoting recognition and respect for women's tennis.

1973: King Becomes First President of Women's Tennis Association

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

1973: King's Wimbledon Triple Crown and Battle of the Sexes

In 1973, Billie Jean King completed the Triple Crown at Wimbledon, becoming the first player in the Open Era to do so. She also won against Bobby Riggs in the Battle of the Sexes. She lost the final match against Court in the Virginia Slims of Nashville tournament. She retired from her fourth-round match at the US Open due to illness. After defeating Riggs, she lost in the semifinals to Casals in the Virginia Slims of Houston tournament. King ended the year with tournament wins in Phoenix, Hawaii, and Tokyo.

1973: King Defeats Bobby Riggs in Exhibition Match

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

1973: World Team Tennis Co-Founded

In 1973, Billie Jean King's husband Larry co-founded World Team Tennis.

1973: Margaret Court world No. 1

In 1973, Margaret Court was the clear world No. 1, winning three Grand Slam singles titles, only missing Wimbledon. Billie Jean King started the year inconsistently due to a wrist injury and mixed tournament results, including a victory against Court at the Virginia Slims of Indianapolis, ending Court's winning streak.

1973: "Battle of the Sexes" victory

In 1973, at age 29, Billie Jean King famously won the "Battle of the Sexes" tennis match against 55-year-old Bobby Riggs. That same year, King was also the founder of the Women's Tennis Association and the Women's Sports Foundation. She also persuaded Virginia Slims to sponsor women's tennis and later served on the board of Philip Morris.

1973: US Open Offers Equal Prize Money

In 1973, the US Open became the first major tournament to offer equal prize money for men and women, a result of Billie Jean King's campaign for equality.

1974: King's Tournament Wins and US Open Title

In 1974, Billie Jean King won five of the first seven tournaments she played, including the Virginia Slims of San Francisco and the U.S. Indoor Championships. She won her fourth singles title at the US Open, defeating Evonne Goolagong in the final. She reached the semi-finals of Virginia Slims Championships.

1974: King Co-Founds womenSports Magazine and Women's Sports Foundation

In 1974, Billie Jean King, along with Larry King and Jim Jorgensen, founded womenSports magazine and started the Women's Sports Foundation, promoting women in sports.

1974: WTT Began

In 1974, WTT began. King and her husband used their savings to put on a team tennis event at the Oakland Coliseum.

1975: World No. 1 Ranking

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

1975: End of Grand Slam Record

1975: Grand Slam Success

From 1971 through 1975, Billie Jean King won seven of the ten Grand Slam singles tournaments she played. She won the last seven Grand Slam singles finals she contested.

1975: King wins Wimbledon and Temporarily Retires

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

1976: King's Last Final at Wimbledon Before 1977

Billie Jean King reached a Wimbledon final in 1976, marking the last time before 1977 when she failed to reach a final in any of the three championship events for women.

1976: King's Doubles Play and Knee Surgery

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

1976: Federation Cup Victory

In 1976, Billie Jean King was on the winning United States team in the Federation Cup.

1977: King's Wimbledon Quarterfinal Loss

In 1977, Billie Jean King lost to Chris Evert in the Wimbledon quarterfinals, marking the first time she didn't reach a final at Wimbledon since her debut in 1961. King reaffirmed her commitment to return to top form despite the defeat.

1978: King Limits to Doubles After Wimbledon

In 1978, Billie Jean King played ten singles tournaments during the first half of the year, but limited herself to doubles after Wimbledon.

1978: King Wins US Open Doubles and Federation Cup

In 1978, Billie Jean King teamed with Navratilova to win the women's doubles title at the US Open. She was also undefeated in Federation Cup doubles matches and hinted at retirement due to surgery, but underwent foot surgery in December to return to the tour.

1979: Limited Play Due to Surgery

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

1979: 1979 Wimbledon Quarterfinal

In 1979 Billie Jean King lost to Tracy Austin at Wimbledon quarterfinal.

1979: Federation Cup Victory

In 1979, Billie Jean King was on the winning United States team in the Federation Cup.

1980: King's Wimbledon Competition

In 1980, Billie Jean King competed at Wimbledon, but didn't feature in a final.

1980: King's French Open Quarterfinal Loss

In 1980, Billie Jean King played the French Open for the first time since 1972 and lost in the quarterfinals to Dianne Fromholtz Balestrat.

1981: King Wins US Open Doubles, Navratilova Changes Partner

In 1981, Billie Jean King teamed with Navratilova to win her 39th and final Grand Slam title at the US Open. Afterwards, Navratilova decided she wanted a new doubles partner and started playing with Shriver, causing a rift between King and Navratilova.

1982: King Becomes World TeamTennis Commissioner

In 1982, Billie Jean King became the league commissioner of World TeamTennis, further solidifying her influence in the sport.

1982: King's Comeback and Wimbledon Run

In 1982, Billie Jean King began a comeback, winning the Edgbaston Cup in Birmingham. At 38, she reached the Wimbledon semi-finals, defeating Tracy Austin in the quarterfinals, marking her first victory over Austin after five defeats. She lost to Chris Evert in the semi-finals, finishing the year ranked 14th in the world after initially retiring.

1982: King's Wimbledon Competition

In 1982, Billie Jean King competed at Wimbledon, but didn't feature in a final.

1983: King wins Edgbaston Cup and final US Open appearance

In 1983, Billie Jean King became the oldest WTA player to win a singles tournament, winning the Edgbaston Cup. She reached the mixed doubles final at Wimbledon with Steve Denton, but lost to John Lloyd & Wendy Turnbull. At her final US Open appearance in 1983, she only competed in doubles, reaching the semi-finals in women's doubles. Her final singles match was a loss at the Australian Open.

1983: Played last Grand Slam singles event

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

1983: King's Final Wimbledon Appearance

In 1983, Billie Jean King reached the semi-finals in her final appearance at Wimbledon, losing to Andrea Jaeger after defeating Kathy Jordan, Wendy Turnbull, and Rosemary Casals.

1984: King Becomes Major Owner in World TeamTennis

In 1984, Billie Jean King became a major owner in World TeamTennis, expanding her role in the organization.

1984: King plays doubles sporadically

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

1987: Induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame

In 1987, Billie Jean King was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

March 1990: King Retires from Doubles

In March 1990, Billie Jean King retired from competitive doubles play. Her last match was a loss with Jennifer Capriati at the Virginia Slims of Florida tournament.

1996: King Guides US to Fed Cup Championship and Olympic Gold

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

2012: King Involved in Foundations and President's Council

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