5 Women Who Changed The Face Of Tennis

#4 Billie Jean King - The Game Changer

Billie Jean

Billie Jean King from the United States is a true champion. She won 39 Grand Slam titles (12 singles, 16 doubles and 11 mixed). She was the first woman to be selected as Sports Illustrated's Sportsperson of the Year in 1972. She made a big difference in women's tennis. During her time, there was a big gap in the prize money offered to men and women. Moreover, women's games were relegated to outside courts. Billie Jean King worked hard to reduce the disparity. She united tennis players and was one of the key members who set up the Virginia Slims Circuit to have proper tournaments for women with equitable prize money. The players risked being banned from the Grand Slam tournaments and national rankings. But the tournaments of Virginia Slims became very popular and all other tournaments followed suit. She was instrumental in ensuring the future generations of women players get their fair share and that women's tennis becomes a viable business. She continues to support issues related to equality for women athletes and LGBT rights.