Billie Jean King

Billie Jean King

Country

United States

Birth - Death

1943 -

Occupation

Sports

Notable Achievements

Presidential Medal of Freedom

Wimbledon Champion

National Champion

Description

Former professional tennis player, won a total of 39 Grand Slam titles through out her career. Member, International Tennis Hall of Fame . Time magazine 'Person of the Year' 1975, and she was the first woman and first tennis player to be named magazine's Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year (1972) . Partner is Ilana Kloss. Notable for beating Bobby Riggs in the battle of the sexes which became a lightening rod for starting the women's professional tennis movement. Recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, 2009.

See Also

• LGBTQ Tennis

Further Research/Reading

• http://www.biography.com/people/billie-jean-king-9364876
• http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/episodes/billie-jean-king/film-billie-jean-king/2637/
• http://espn.go.com/sportscentury/features/00016060.html

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