Gayle King celebrates and looks back on career of Billie Jean King: "She was unapologetic and playing the game on her own terms"

On the celebration of the 50th anniversary of equal prize money, Gayle King wrote a letter celebrating the career of Billie Jean King.

The American tennis legend, Billie Jean King, is one of the most successful tennis players in history, with 39 Grand Slam titles: 12 in singles, 16 in women's doubles, and 11 in mixed doubles.

As a former world No. 1, she was an advocate for gender pay equality in sports, leading the creation of the WTA (Women's Tennis Association) and playing a crucial role in securing equal prize money for men and women in Grand Slam tournaments starting in 1973. In honor of the 50-year anniversary, journalist Gayle King wrote a heartfelt letter expressing her admiration for Billie Jean King.

In the letter, Gayle King revealed that she had been playing tennis since she was a child and recalled passionately rooting for Billie Jean King during the famous "Battle of the Sexes" match, where the young tennis star defeated former world No. 1 Bobby Riggs in a historic showdown:

“We cheered because she was powerful, and she was unapologetic, and she was playing the game on her own terms. We cheered because she fought hard, and she won at a moment in history when we needed to fight hard—and Lord knows we needed a win,” Gayle King said.

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“I’ve never forgotten that moment, nor have I forgotten what it meant to me as a young woman looking to make my own mark in this world. I was 18 years old in 1973, completely unsure of what I wanted to be, but that moment—that very special moment—helped me to believe that I could be anything I wanted to be,” she added.

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On this Date in 1973, the WTA Tour was formed by Billie Jean King at a meeting held at the Gloucester Hotel in London. Later that summer, the US Open would offer equal prize money to men and women.

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CBS’ host highlighted how King has been an inspiration throughout her life:

“She has always been a fighter, and always loved the fight. I’m not one to throw the word “legend” around—but how else would you describe someone who has devoted herself to improving the lot of others, someone who has the guts to confront injustice, someone who has given hope to so many, simply by giving us her authentic self?!,”

“As a woman—and particularly as a Black woman—I’ve always felt it was important to set the bar high for myself. I’ve always been interested in setting a standard that would exceed the expectations of others.”

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“Billie Jean King was never the kind to settle for being the No. 1-ranked ranked player in the world. She wanted to inspire, to enlighten, to be a model for living in your truth. And that’s exactly what she’s done. That must be what we all aspire to do.”

Gayle King's letter is part of the US Open's celebrations of the 50 years of equal prize money for men and women, in which a series of essays by successful women will be published, offering personal perspectives on the importance of equality.

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"We cheered because she was powerful, and she was unapologetic, and she was playing the game on her own terms." Gayle King celebrates the inspirational career of Billie Jean King.

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