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. Her illustrious career boasts 39 Grand Slam titles, comprising 12 in singles, 16 in women's doubles, and 11 in mixed doubles. Beyond her individual achievements, King contributed significantly to team success, representing the United States on seven victorious Federation Cup teams and nine Wightman Cup teams. She's also a champion 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: King equals Marble's achievement

In 1967, Billie Jean King became the first woman since Alice Marble in 1939 to win the singles, women's doubles, and mixed doubles titles at both Wimbledon and the U.S. Championships. Alice Marble was the last person to achieve that feat.

1960: First Tournament Win

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

1961: Wimbledon Women's Doubles Title

In 1961, Billie Jean King gained international recognition, and she won the Wimbledon women's doubles title in her first attempt, partnering with Karen Hantze. They were the youngest team to win the title. She was 17.

1962: Singles win against Margaret Court

In 1962, at Wimbledon, Billie Jean King upset Margaret Court, the World No. 1, in a second round match. 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: Federation Cup Win

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

1966: Year-Ending World No. 1

In 1966, Billie Jean King was the year-ending World No. 1.

1966: First Grand Slam singles title

In 1966, Billie Jean King won the first of her six singles titles at Wimbledon, defeating Margaret Court in the semi-finals and Maria Bueno in the final. She also ended her nine-match losing streak to Margaret Court by defeating her in the final of the South African Tennis Championships.

1967: King's Success in 1967

In 1967, Billie Jean King defended her title at the South African Tennis Championships, won her second consecutive Wimbledon singles title, and claimed her first U.S. Championships singles title without dropping a set. She also achieved the feat of winning the singles, women's doubles, and mixed doubles titles at both Wimbledon and the U.S. Championships, a milestone not seen since 1939.

1967: Federation Cup Win

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

1968: King's Tournament Wins and Knee Surgery in 1968

In early 1968, Billie Jean King secured three consecutive tournament victories in Australia, winning the Western Australia Championships, the Tasmanian Championships, and the Australian Championships. She later underwent knee surgery in September of 1968 to repair cartilage, causing her to miss the remainder of the year's tournaments.

1970: King anticipates a better year

During the Pacific Southwest Open in 1969, Billie Jean King expressed optimism for 1970, stating she felt like a kid again and expected a big year due to renewed motivation, despite a challenging year with tennis elbow.

1971: Grand Slam Streak Begins

From 1971 through 1975, Billie Jean King won seven of the ten Grand Slam singles tournaments she played, beginning a streak of success.

1971: King becomes first female tennis player to earn $100,000 a year

In 1971, Billie Jean King became the first female tennis player to earn $100,000 in a year, resulting in a congratulatory phone call from President Richard M. Nixon. In August, King won the indoor Houston tournament and the U.S. Women's Clay Court Championships in Indianapolis. She then won the US Open without losing a set.

1971: King's 1971 Season

In 1971, Billie Jean King won 17 tournaments, making it the best year of her career in terms of tournament wins. She played in 31 singles tournaments, achieving a 112–13 win–loss record.

1972: Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year

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

1972: King won the French Open

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

1972: King's Grand Slam Wins and Australian Open Absence in 1972

In 1972, Billie Jean King won three Grand Slam singles titles, but chose not to play the Australian Open due to its minor-league status at the time and her commitment to the Virginia Slims winter tournaments.

1972: Career Grand Slam

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

September 20, 1973: The 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 match was viewed by a large audience and is considered significant for women's tennis recognition.

1973: King Completes Triple Crown at Wimbledon

In 1973, Billie Jean King completed the Triple Crown at Wimbledon, winning the singles, women's doubles, and mixed doubles titles, becoming the first player to achieve this in the Open Era. She then resumed her rivalry with Margaret Court at the Virginia Slims of Nashville tournament. Later, at the US Open, she retired from her fourth-round match due to illness and heat. The Battle of the Sexes against Bobby Riggs also took place in 1973 during the Virginia Slims of Houston tournament, which she won.

1973: King defeats Bobby Riggs in 'Battle of the Sexes'

In 1973, Billie Jean King defeated Bobby Riggs in an exhibition match, winning $100,000, which is equivalent to $707,000 in 2024.

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 was also the founder of the Women's Tennis Association and the Women's Sports Foundation, and was instrumental in persuading Virginia Slims to sponsor women's tennis.

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, following Billie Jean King's advocacy.

1974: King's performance in 1974

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, and she also won her fourth singles title at the US Open.

1975: Year-Ending World No. 1

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

1975: Grand Slam Streak Ends

From 1971 through 1975, Billie Jean King won seven of the ten Grand Slam singles tournaments she played, ending a successful streak.

1975: Time Persons of the Year

In 1975, Billie Jean King was one of the Time Persons of the Year.

1976: Federation Cup Win

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

1978: King's doubles success and foot surgery

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

1979: Federation Cup Win

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

1979: Top players selection of Billie Jean King

In 1979, several top players including Martina Navratilova and Rosemary Casals were asked who they would pick to help them recover from a hypothetical deficit of 1–5 (15–40) in the third set of a match on Wimbledon's Centre Court, and they picked Billie Jean King.

1981: King wins Grand Slam title

In 1981, Billie Jean King teamed with Martina Navratilova to win her 39th and final Grand Slam title at the US Open. Navratilova then decided she wanted a new doubles partner, leading to a confrontation with King.

November 1982: Palimony Suit Dismissal

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

1987: Inducted into International Tennis Hall of Fame

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

1990: Inducted into National Women's Hall of Fame

In 1990, Billie Jean King was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame.

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.

2008: Opening of Sports Museum of America

In 2008, the Sports Museum of America opened, featuring the Billie Jean King International Women's Sports Center, a comprehensive women's sports hall of fame and exhibit. King is a member of the Board of Honorary Trustees for the museum.