Challenges Faced by Billie Jean King: Obstacles and Turning Points
Life is full of challenges, and Billie Jean King faced many. Discover key struggles and how they were overcome.
Billie Jean King, a former world No. 1 American tennis player, is considered among the greatest of all time. She secured 39 Grand Slam titles across singles (12), women's doubles (16), and mixed doubles (11). King also contributed to the United States' victories in seven Federation Cups and nine Wightman Cups. Beyond her athletic achievements, she is known for her advocacy of gender equality in sports and society.
1959: Early Career Matches
From 1959, Billie Jean King made unsuccessful attempts to win a Grand Slam singles title.
1963: Wimbledon Final
In 1963, Billie Jean King faced Margaret Court in the Wimbledon final, where Court prevailed in the match.
1965: Early Career Matches
To 1965, Billie Jean King made unsuccessful attempts to win a Grand Slam singles title. Afterwards, she finally won the first of her six singles titles at Wimbledon.
1966: Grand Slam Rivalry
In 1966, Billie Jean King started a Grand Slam rivalry with Margaret Court. Through 1975, One or both of these women played 35 of the 40 Grand Slam singles tournaments held during this period, and together they won 24 of them.
1967: Criticism of USLTA
In 1967, Billie Jean King criticized the United States Lawn Tennis Association (USLTA) for its practice of "shamateurism," arguing it was corrupt and elitist.
1968: Australian Championships Win and Knee Surgery
In early 1968, Billie Jean King won the Australian Championships for the first time. She won three consecutive tournaments to end her Australian tour. On September 24, 1968, she had surgery to repair cartilage in her left knee.
1969: Australian Open Final Loss and Elbow Injury
In 1969, Billie Jean King lost to Margaret Court in the Australian Open final and lost in the quarterfinals of the US Open. King stated it was a bad year due to a severe tennis elbow for seven months.
September 1970: Pacific Southwest Open and Women's Rights Advocacy
In September 1970, during the Pacific Southwest Open where the prize money for men was significantly higher than for women, Billie Jean King and other women chose not to play to advocate for equal pay. King and the other women organized the women-only Houston Virginia Slims invitational and this helped launch the series of women-only tournaments.
1971: Campaign for equal prize money
In 1971, Billie Jean King campaigned for equal prize money in the men's and women's games. Her husband, Larry King created the idea to form a nine player women's group. She began an affair with her secretary, Marilyn Barnett.
1972: US Open Win and Prize Money Inequality
In 1972, Billie Jean King won the US Open but received US$15,000 less than the men's champion Ilie Năstase, highlighting the inequalities in prize money.
1972: Early Match Retirement and Admission
In early 1972, Billie Jean King admitted that cramps associated with an abortion caused her retirement from a match with Chris Evert.
1973: King's victory over Court ends winning streak
In 1973, Billie Jean King defeated Margaret Court in the Virginia Slims of Indianapolis tournament, ending Court's 12-tournament and 59-match winning streak after saving multiple match points. King later won her fifth Wimbledon singles title.
1973: Battle of the Sexes Victory
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 was a significant moment in the fight for gender equality in sports.
1975: Grand Slam Rivalry
Through 1975, Billie Jean King continued a Grand Slam rivalry with Margaret Court. Since 1966, one or both of these women played 35 of the 40 Grand Slam singles tournaments held during this period, and together they won 24 of them.
November 1976: King rehabilitates her knee after surgery
Following surgery in November 1976, Billie Jean King spent the first three months of the year rehabilitating her right knee.
1976: King considers comeback after Wimbledon final
In 1976, Billie Jean King considered her return to singles competition after watching the Wimbledon final. King had knee surgery for the third time on November 9, 1976.
March 1977: King requests wild card entry and plays in San Antonio
In March 1977, Billie Jean King requested a wild card entry to the Virginia Slims Championships and played in the Lionel Cup tournament in San Antonio, which faced criticism due to the presence of Renée Richards, a transgender athlete. King won the San Antonio tournament.
1977: King defeated by Evert at Wimbledon
In 1977 at Wimbledon, Billie Jean King was defeated by Chris Evert in the quarterfinals. This marked the first time King didn't reach a final at Wimbledon since her debut in 1961.
1977: Prediction about Knee Injury
In 1977, Billie Jean King recalled that in 1968, her doctors predicted that her left knee would only allow her to play competitive tennis for two more years.
December 1978: King undergoes foot surgery
In December 1978, Billie Jean King underwent major surgery to her left foot.
1979: King limited to doubles due to surgery
Due to major foot surgery in December 1978, Billie Jean King played only one event - doubles in the Federation Cup tie against Spain - during the first half of 1979.
1979: 1979 Wimbledon Quarterfinal
In 1979, Billie Jean King played Tracy Austin at Wimbledon. King lost to Austin in the quarterfinal.
1979: Barnett Asked to Leave House
In 1979, the Kings asked Marilyn Barnett to leave their house, leading to threats and a lawsuit.
May 1981: Palimony Lawsuit
In May 1981, Marilyn Barnett sued the Kings in a palimony lawsuit for half their income and the Malibu house.
December 1981: Court Order Stipulates Barnett Leave the House
In December 1981, a court order stipulated that Marilyn Barnett leave the house and her threats to publish private correspondence came close to extortion.
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 beating Kathy Jordan in the quarterfinals.
1983: Final Singles Match
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 to Catherine Tanvier at the 1983 Australian Open.
