Showing results for "Billie" in Sports & Outdoors

From tennis legend Billie Jean King to the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team, athletes have fought for equity and fairness for women in professional sports. Discover the pro athletes who have used their platform to speak out and affect change for all women.

Billie Jean King grew up in a family of athletes. It was no surprise when she quickly began to excel at tennis. She became the top female singles player in the world and won 129 career singles titles, including Wimbledon and the US Open. Beyond being an excellent athlete, Billie Jean King used her voice to stand up for other women playing tennis who were not paid nearly as much as male players. In 1973, Billie Jean captured the world's attention when she beat Bobby Riggs in the "Battle of the Sexes," proving women were just as good at tennis as men.

In 1973, two of the world's most famous tennis stars took part in what became known as the "Battle of the Sexes". Bobby Riggs embraced the idea that men were superior to women in every way and claimed that he would defeat any woman on the tennis court. Meanwhile, Billie Jean King was determined to beat him. She knew she could win and prove that women were as just good as men.