Larry W. King, one of the trailblazers for the growth of women's tennis and Billie Jean King's former husband, dies at 81

The tennis world is mourning the death of Larry W. King at the age of 81 after a battle with prostate cancer. A key figure in the rise of women's professional tennis, he was the former husband of WTA Founder Billie Jean King who was one of many to send a tribute.

Born in Dayton, Ohio, he moved to Los Angeles when he was young where he wanted to be a scientist. This altered when he met Billie Jean Moffitt, a history student who had a passion and talent for tennis. They married in 1965 and moved to Berkeley where Larry would enroll in Boalt Law School.

At this time, both Larry and Billie were frustrated about the direction of women's tennis. Billie Jean was already winning a huge number of Grand Slam titles and was one of the big names in the sport not getting the recognition that she deserved. Their actions would shape women's tennis to what it is today.

He was an instrumental part of a team behind the scenes who created and formed the Original 9. They signed their one dollar contracts with Gladys Heldman in September, 1970 and co-owned a number of tournaments with his wife on the nascent Virginia Slims Circuit

All this legal studying forementioned would come crucial when forming the WTA. He established and drafted the necessary bi-laws to allow the election of officers for the new association. In a meeting of 60 players the day before Wimbledon 1973 commenced, a significant bit of tennis history was created.

Adding to all of that, he helped create the iconic Battle of the Sexes which saw Billie Jean take on and defeat Bobby Riggs in straight sets in a match watched by 90 million people worldwide.

Billie Jean led the tributes. "Larry was one of the unsung heroes in the establishment of women’s professional tennis in the early 1970s," she wrote on Instagram. " Larry and I met at Cal State LA, where Larry opened my eyes to feminism. We were married for 22 years and in business together for decades.

"Larry’s intelligence, love, commitment, and humour helped me navigate my career for more than 20 years. Ilana, my wife and business partner, and I are deeply saddened by Larry’s passing and we extend our deepest condolences to his wife, Nancy, and their children - our godchildren - Sky (his wife Caroline and daughter Athena) and Katie."

The pair later divorced in 1987. He would go on to marry Nancy Bolger King. They moved a few years later to Grass Valley, where he co-founded Roller Hockey International and Bridge Pro Tour, a professional bridge tour.

In 2024, Larry was recognised by the WTA Foundation with the inaugural Champions for Change Award. It was for his contributions to tennis and women’s empowerment.

“When I met Billie Jean, she wanted to change tennis, make it a respected sport like football, baseball and basketball,” he said. “More than that, she wanted to make an impact on the world. Me, I was a smart kid, but I had no ambition – so helping Billie Jean became my life.”

WTA Chair Valerie Camillo reflected on his remarkable life and the impact with it. “Larry King didn’t just champion equality from the sidelines – he embodied male allyship at a defining moment for sports, culture, and society. Standing with Billie Jean and sharing her mission for positive change, his moral advocacy and vital contributions as a lawyer and businessman set the stage for the WTA Tour as we know it. On behalf of the WTA, I extend our deepest condolences to Nancy, their children, and all Larry’s loved ones.”

Larry is survived by his wife, Nancy, and two children: a son named Sky and a daughter called Katie. Billie Jean and her wife, Ilana Kloss, are godparents to Larry and Nancy’s children, keeping the family ties close.