Who Is Billie Jean King?

By Sarah Fabiny, Who HQ, Dede Putra (Illustrator)

Part of the Who Was . . . ? series

A tennis legend battles for gender equality on and off the court.

4.2/5 Goodreads · 42 ratings

112 pages· 8,523 words

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Bookroo's summary

Billie Jean King, a tennis prodigy from an athletic family, rose to world No. 1, winning 129 singles titles. Her victory in the 1973 'Battle of the Sexes' against Bobby Riggs was a pivotal moment in sports history, challenging gender norms. As a fierce advocate, she founded the Women's Tennis Association, fighting for equal pay and recognition for female athletes. Discover how her legacy as a champion, feminist, and LGBTQ+ icon reshaped the world of sports and inspired generations. What challenges did she face, and how did she overcome them to change the game forever?

From the publisher

Learn about the amazing life of the former world No. 1 tennis player who fought for gender equality in sports! Billie Jean King’s legacy as a tennis star, a feminist, and an LGBTQ+ trailblazer shines through in this addition to the #1 New York Times Best-Selling Series. 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. She went on to found the Women’s Tennis Association, and thanks to her efforts, women athletes worldwide were finally able to be taken seriously and paid fairly.

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