Billie Jean King's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Billie Jean King.

Billie Jean King is a celebrated American former world No. 1 tennis player, renowned for her exceptional achievements and advocacy. She secured 39 Grand Slam titles, distributed across singles, women's doubles, and mixed doubles. King also contributed significantly to team success, representing the United States in seven Federation Cups and nine Wightman Cups, consistently demonstrating her skill and competitive spirit on the global stage.

Sections (7)

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

1960: First Tournament Win

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

1961: Wimbledon Women's Doubles Title

In 1961, Billie Jean King gained international recognition by winning the Wimbledon women's doubles title with Karen Hantze in her first attempt. King was 17 and Hantze was 18, making them the youngest team to win the Wimbledon Doubles Title.

1962: Upset Victory Over Margaret Court at Wimbledon

In 1962, Billie Jean King upset Margaret Court, the World No. 1, in the second round of the Wimbledon singles tournament. She also repeated her doubles victory with Karen Hantze at Wimbledon.

1963: Federation Cup Win

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

1966: Year-Ending World No. 1 Ranking

In 1966, Billie Jean King achieved the year-ending World No. 1 ranking, marking the start of her dominance in the sport.

1966: Federation Cup Win

In 1966, Billie Jean King was on the winning United States team in the Federation Cup.

1966: First Wimbledon Singles Title

In 1966, after thirteen unsuccessful attempts, Billie Jean King won her first Wimbledon singles title, defeating Maria Bueno in the final. She also defeated Dorothy "Dodo" Cheney and ended her losing streak against Margaret Court earlier that year.

1967: King Defends Title and Wins U.S. Championships

In 1967, Billie Jean King successfully defended her title at the South African Tennis Championships, defeating Maria Bueno in the final. She played the French Championships for the first time, reaching the quarterfinals. She also won all four of her matches at the Federation Cup in West Germany. King secured her second consecutive Wimbledon singles title and won her first U.S. Championships title without losing a set. She achieved the rare feat of winning the singles, women's doubles, and mixed doubles titles at both Wimbledon and the U.S. Championships. In December, she returned to the Australian summer tour, experiencing both a knee injury and a victory at the Victorian Championships.

1967: Federation Cup Win

In 1967, Billie Jean King was on the winning United States team in the Federation Cup.

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 success in the United States, winning three indoor tournaments. She also won her third consecutive Wimbledon singles title. However, she was upset in the US Open final and underwent knee surgery on September 24. Her doctors predicted she would only be able to play competitive tennis for two more years.

1971: King's Best Year in Tournaments Won

Although Billie Jean King won only one Grand Slam singles title in 1971, this was the best year of her career in terms of tournaments won. She played in 31 singles tournaments and compiled a 112–13 win–loss record.

1971: Grand Slam Dominance Begins

From 1971, Billie Jean King began a period of dominance in Grand Slam singles tournaments, winning 7 of the 10 she played through 1975.

1971: King Earns $100,000 and Receives Congratulatory Call

In 1971, Billie Jean King became the first female tennis player to earn $100,000 a year, a milestone that earned her a congratulatory phone call from President Richard M. Nixon.

1972: Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year Award

In 1972, Billie Jean King was the joint winner, with John Wooden, of the Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year award, recognizing her achievements in tennis.

1972: King Wins Three Grand Slam Singles Titles

In 1972, Billie Jean King won three Grand Slam singles titles, choosing not to play the Australian Open. She stated she prioritized the Virginia Slims winter tournaments. Her dominance was aided by rival Margaret Court's absence due to childbirth.

1972: Career Grand Slam

In 1972, Billie Jean King's French Open win completed her Career Grand Slam in singles, making her only the fifth woman in tennis history to achieve this milestone.

1973: Battle of the Sexes

In 1973, Billie Jean King, at the age of 29, won the "Battle of the Sexes" tennis match against 55-year-old Bobby Riggs, marking a significant moment for gender equality in sports. That year, she was also the founder of the Women's Tennis Association and the Women's Sports Foundation.

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.

1975: Time Person of the Year

In 1975, Billie Jean King was one of the Time Persons of the Year, acknowledging her influence and impact beyond the world of sports.

1975: Year-Ending World No. 1 Ranking

In 1975, Billie Jean King was the year-ending World No. 1, continuing her dominance in the sport. She held this ranking in six of the ten years from 1966 through 1975.

1975: Continued Grand Slam Success

Through 1975, Billie Jean King continued her Grand Slam success, winning 7 of the 10 tournaments she played from 1971. She won the last seven Grand Slam singles finals she contested.

1976: Federation Cup Win

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

1979: Federation Cup Win

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

1982: King's Comeback and Wimbledon Semi-Finals

In 1982, Billie Jean King began a comeback, winning the Edgbaston Cup in Birmingham. At Wimbledon, she reached the semi-finals, becoming the oldest female semi-finalist since 1920. She defeated Tracy Austin in the quarterfinals before losing to Chris Evert in the semi-finals. King finished 1982 ranked 14th in the world.

1983: Edgbaston Cup Victory and US Open Appearance

In 1983, Billie Jean King became the oldest WTA player to win a singles tournament at the Edgbaston Cup. At the US Open, she partnered in women's and mixed doubles, reaching the semi-finals in women's doubles. The final singles match of King's career was a second round loss at the 1983 Australian Open.

1987: Induction into International Tennis Hall of Fame

In 1987, Billie Jean King was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame, recognizing her accomplishments and impact on the sport.

1990: Induction into the National Women's Hall of Fame

In 1990, Billie Jean King was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame, celebrating her as a pioneer for women in sports and beyond.

1996: Fed Cup Championship

In 1996, as captain of the United States Fed Cup team, 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.

2006: USTA National Tennis Center Renamed

In 2006, the USTA National Tennis Center in New York City was renamed the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, honoring her legacy in tennis.

2008: Sports Museum of America

In 2008, Billie Jean King became a member of the Board of Honorary Trustees for the Sports Museum of America, which is the home of the Billie Jean King International Women's Sports Center.

2010: Fed Cup Award of Excellence

In 2010, Billie Jean King was bestowed with the Fed Cup Award of Excellence, honoring her contributions to the Federation Cup competition.

2018: BBC Sports Personality of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award

In 2018, Billie Jean King won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award, celebrating her career and contributions to sports.

2020: Federation Cup Renamed Billie Jean King Cup

In 2020, the Federation Cup was renamed the Billie Jean King Cup in her honor, acknowledging her significant contributions to the tournament and women's tennis.