Why are sports such a necessary platform for change? Because we’re visible and we have an opportunity to do the right thing. Even as a child you saw the inequities in tennis—like when you were excluded from a group photo for wearing shorts instead of a skirt. When did you realize you wanted to change the game of tennis? When I was 12, I had an epiphany at the Los Angeles Tennis Club. That was my moment, I knew. I got all tingly inside. I just remember looking around and realizing everybody in tennis wore white, everybody in tennis was white. And I think my question as a 12-year-old was, where is everybody else? And that was the beginning. You were outed as gay in 1981 and lost your sponsorships as a result. What do you feel looking back at that time period? My emotions run all over the place. First, I’m thrilled that things have gotten better. But we still have a ways to go. People get nervous when something’s unknown to them. We’ve got to get comfortable with being uncomfortable and need to reach out to people who aren’t like ourselves. Even after knee replacements, are you getting back on the court? I actually started playing again, but playing would be the wrong word. It’s more like hitting the ball. [My partner] IlanaKloss was No. 1 in the world in doubles and can hit it on a dime, so she hits it right to me—I only move about one foot to my right or one foot to my left! What excites you most about the game now? We have 4 million new players this year since COVID. I think the caliber right now is the best it’s ever been. You have AshleighBarty, NaomiOsaka and JenniferBrady. It’s the most I’ve ever enjoyed watching tennis in my whole life.
Billie Jean King Facts
Good friend EltonJohn wrote his 1975 hit “Philadelphia Freedom” in King’s honor, named for the coed circuit team she played for and coached, the Philadelphia Freedoms. (The pop icon was even fitted for his own uniform, which he’d wear while yelling at King to “do better” from the sidelines.) 90 million: That’s the number of people who tuned in worldwide to watch a 29-year-old King defeat self-proclaimed chauvinist Riggs (and some gender stereotypes) in the Battle of the Sexes match. The racket she used sold at auction in 2017 for $125,000. 39: That’s how many Grand Slam championships (Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and U.S. Open) she’s won in singles (12), doubles (16) and mixed doubles (11). 2009: That’s when she became the first female athlete to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom. $1: That’s the amount on the symbolic contract King and eight other women (dubbed the “Original 9”) signed in 1970 to launch a women’s tour. That small gesture has led to lucrative prize money and endorsement deals for female athletes today. Watch the U.S. Open at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, New York, August 30–September 12, on ESPN. Female winners have King to thank for the equal prize money. After winning the title in ’72, she threatened to boycott the following year unless the men’s and women’s purses were the same. It worked. Each took home $25,000. This year the top prizes are in the millions.
Items to Bring to a Match (and Home)
No matter your level of prowess, the Sporty Stripe Tennis Tote will keep you and your belongings prepared to hit the court. $199, markandgraham.com Bring the sport’s summery scents, like tennis balls (yes, tennis balls), cut grass and cucumber, into your home with the Matchpoint Candle. $36, otherland.com Tennis all-stars need stationery too, and 20 percent of the purchase of the “We’re All In” Note Card Set goes to ending childhood hunger through No Kid Hungry. $15, courtgirlpaper.com A favorite of reigning U.S. Open champ Naomi Osaka, the NikeCourt Air Zoom GP Turbo tennis show has the durability and comfort for fast-paced matches. $140, nike.com Inspired by ’70s sportswear, Tory Sport’s Performance V-Neck Tennis Dress works on and off the court. $228, toryburch.com For retro tennis gear that’s easy to toss on during a chilly morning match, grab the vintage Monte Carlo Tennis Club Crewneck. $95, firstportcompany.com Next, Tennis Champ Venus Williams on Getting Her Game On! for CBS and What New Fear She Discovered!
