Billie Jean King's Success and Achievements in Timeline

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

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

1920: Oldest female semi-finalist at Wimbledon since Dorothea Douglass Lambert Chambers

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

1939: Alice Marble's Accomplishment

In 1939, Alice Marble was the last woman to win the singles, women's doubles, and mixed doubles titles at both Wimbledon and the U.S. Championships before Billie Jean King matched this achievement in 1967.

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.

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: 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: Federation Cup Win

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

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: Federation Cup Win

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

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.

1967: Federation Cup Win

In 1967, Billie Jean King was on the winning United States team at 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 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.

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: 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: 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 and her broader impact.

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: 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: 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.

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.

1975: Time Person of the Year

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

1976: Federation Cup Win

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

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: Federation Cup Win

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

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.

November 1982: Palimony Suit Dismissed

In November 1982, Barnett's palimony suit against King was thrown out of court.

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 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.

1987: Induction into International Tennis Hall of Fame

In 1987, Billie Jean King was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame, recognizing her outstanding achievements and contributions to the sport.

1990: Induction into National Women's Hall of Fame

In 1990, Billie Jean King was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame, honoring her contributions to gender equality and women's rights.

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.

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, a tribute to her lasting impact on tennis.

2010: Fed Cup Award of Excellence

In 2010, Billie Jean King was bestowed the Fed Cup Award of Excellence, honoring her exceptional record and impact in 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 achievements and influence.

2020: Federation Cup Renamed Billie Jean King Cup

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

2022: Awarded French Legion of Honour

In 2022, Billie Jean King was awarded the French Legion of Honour, acknowledging her impact and influence on a global scale.

2024: Received Congressional Gold Medal

In 2024, Billie Jean King received a Congressional Gold Medal, recognizing her significant contributions to sports, gender equality, and social justice.