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, secured 39 Grand Slam titles across singles, women's doubles, and mixed doubles. King's contributions extended to team victories, representing the United States in seven Federation Cups and nine Wightman Cups. Beyond her athletic achievements, she has been a prominent figure in advocating for gender equality in sports and society.

Sections (7)

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

1939: Riggs Wins Wimbledon

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

1941: Riggs Ranked World No. 1

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

1946: Riggs Ranked World No. 1

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

1947: Riggs Ranked World No. 1

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

1960: First Tournament Win

In 1960, Billie Jean King won her first tournament in Philadelphia at the Philadelphia and District Grass Court Championships, marking an early milestone in her career.

1961: Wimbledon Women's Doubles Title

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

1962: Upsets Margaret Court

In 1962, Billie Jean King upset Margaret Court, the World No. 1, at Wimbledon, and repeated her doubles victory with Karen Hantze.

1963: Federation Cup Win

In 1963, Billie Jean King was on the winning United States team in the Federation Cup, contributing to the team's victory.

1966: Year-Ending World No. 1 Ranking

From 1966 to 1975, Billie Jean King was the year-ending World No. 1 in six of the ten years, demonstrating her dominance in women's tennis.

1966: Federation Cup Win

In 1966, Billie Jean King was on the winning United States team in the Federation Cup, adding to her achievements in team competitions.

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.

1967: Federation Cup Win

In 1967, Billie Jean King contributed to the United States team's victory in the Federation Cup, marking another successful year.

1967: South African Tennis Championships Title

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

1968: Australian Championships win and knee surgery

In early 1968, Billie Jean King won three consecutive tournaments in Australia, including the Australian Championships. She continued winning upon her return to the United States and then in Europe. She won her third consecutive Wimbledon singles title. On September 24, 1968, she had surgery to repair cartilage in her left knee.

1970: Margaret Court wins the Grand Slam

In 1970, Margaret Court won the Grand Slam. Court's 1973 season was her first full season since winning the Grand Slam in 1970.

1971: Best Year in Terms of 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, with a 112–13 win–loss record.

1971: Grand Slam Success Begins

From 1971 to 1975, Billie Jean King won seven of the ten Grand Slam singles tournaments she played, showcasing a dominant period in her career.

1971: US Open Victory and $100,000 Earnings

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 (Wembley Pro). In 1971, she became the first female tennis player to earn $100,000 a year, receiving a congratulatory call from President Richard M. Nixon.

1971: Loss to Christine Truman Janes and Rothmans North of England Championships Win

In early May 1971, Billie Jean King lost to Christine Truman Janes at Hurlingham, United Kingdom, but won the German Open in Hamburg. She lost to Margaret Court at the Queen's Club tournament in London and lost in Wimbledon semi-finals. She won the Rothmans North of England Championships.

1972: Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year

In 1972, Billie Jean King was the joint winner, with John Wooden, of the Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year award, acknowledging her success and impact.

1972: King Wins the French Open

In 1972, Billie Jean King won the French Open. She played the 1980 French Open, her first time since she won the event in 1972 and completed a career singles Grand Slam.

1972: Grand Slam Titles and Focus on Virginia Slims Tournaments

In 1972, Billie Jean King won three Grand Slam singles titles but chose not to play the Australian Open. She prioritized the Virginia Slims winter tournaments. Her dominance was aided by Margaret Court's absence from the tour.

1972: Career Grand Slam

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

September 20, 1973: The 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 viewed by an estimated 50 million people in the U.S. and 90 million in 37 countries. This victory is considered a significant event in promoting respect for women's tennis.

1973: King Completes Triple Crown and Plays Battle of the Sexes

In 1973, Billie Jean King completed the Triple Crown at Wimbledon. She then played Bobby Riggs in the Battle of the Sexes after a series of Virginia Slims tournaments, and ended the year with wins in Phoenix, Hawaii, and Tokyo, and was runner-up in Baltimore.

1973: King Defeats Bobby Riggs

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

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

In 1973, Margaret Court dominated by winning three Grand Slam singles titles and was ranked world No. 1. Billie Jean King started the year inconsistently, missing tournaments due to a wrist injury. King defeated Court at the Virginia Slims of Indianapolis, ending Court's winning streak, but struggled in subsequent tournaments, losing twice to Court.

1973: Battle of the Sexes

In 1973, at the age of 29, Billie Jean King won the "Battle of the Sexes" tennis match against 55-year-old Bobby Riggs. She also founded the Women's Tennis Association and the Women's Sports Foundation and helped persuade Virginia Slims to sponsor women's tennis.

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 significant achievement for King's advocacy.

1974: King's Victories and Setbacks

In 1974, Billie Jean King won five of the first seven tournaments she contested, including the Virginia Slims of San Francisco and the U.S. Indoor Championships, but had some upsets, including losses to Olga Morozova at Philadelphia and Wimbledon. She won her fourth US Open singles title.

1975: Year-Ending World No. 1 Ranking

From 1966 to 1975, Billie Jean King was the year-ending World No. 1 in six of the ten years, demonstrating her dominance in women's tennis.

1975: Grand Slam Dominance Continues

From 1971 to 1975, Billie Jean King won seven of the ten Grand Slam singles tournaments she played, showcasing a dominant period in her career.

1975: King's Limited Singles Play and Wimbledon Win

In 1975, Billie Jean King played singles only half the year and retired temporarily from tournament singles competition immediately 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, recognizing her influence and achievements beyond the tennis court.

1976: Federation Cup Win

In 1976, Billie Jean King was part of the winning United States team in the Federation Cup, continuing her success in the competition.

March 1977: King's Controversy and Tournament Win

In March 1977, Billie Jean King requested a wild card entry to the Virginia Slims Championships and chose to play in the Lionel Cup tournament, drawing criticism for the tournament allowing Renée Richards, a transgender athlete, to participate. King ultimately won the tournament.

1978: King's Doubles Success and Foot Surgery

In 1978, Billie Jean King teamed with Navratilova to win the women's doubles title at the US Open. She also participated in the Federation Cup and Wightman Cup. She hinted at retirement from major singles competitions and had foot surgery in December.

1979: Federation Cup Win

In 1979, Billie Jean King was on the winning United States team in the Federation Cup, concluding a successful period in the competition.

1981: King's Final Grand Slam Title and Partnership Changes

In 1981, Billie Jean King teamed with Navratilova to win her 39th and final Grand Slam title at the US Open. Navratilova then decided to find a new doubles partner, leading to tension between them.

1982: King begins a comeback and reaches Wimbledon semi-finals

In 1982, Billie Jean King began a comeback, winning the Edgbaston Cup in Birmingham, her first singles title in over two years. At Wimbledon, she reached the semi-finals, becoming the oldest female semi-finalist since 1920, before being defeated by Chris Evert. King finished 1982 ranked 14th in the world.

1983: King wins Edgbaston Cup and reaches Wimbledon mixed doubles final

In 1983, King won the Edgbaston Cup in Birmingham, becoming the oldest WTA player to win a singles tournament. She also reached the mixed doubles final at Wimbledon, partnering with Steve Denton. King also made her final appearance at the US Open.

1987: Inducted into International Tennis Hall of Fame

In 1987, Billie Jean King was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame, marking a significant recognition of her contributions to the sport.

1990: Inducted 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 women's rights and sports.

1996: King guides the U.S. to Fed Cup championship and Olympic gold medals

In 1996, as captain of the United States Fed Cup team and coach of its women's Olympic tennis squad, 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, celebrating her impact on tennis.