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Billie Jean King has revealed how trying to form the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) was “absolutely terrifying”, and she now believes that modern tennis stars are “living the dream”.
June will mark half a century since King gathered more than 60 women at the Gloucester Hotel in London to form the WTA.
The seed had been sown three years earlier when, angry at being treated like second-class citizens in the professional tennis era, nine women went out on their own.
King, Rosie Casals, Nancy Richey, Kerry Melville, Peaches Bartkowicz, Kristy Pigeon, Judy Dalton, Valerie Ziegenfuss and Julie Heldman – known as the Original Nine – all signed a symbolic $1 contract to compete in the new tour, the Virginia Slims Series.
That evolved into the WTA and later in 1973 the US Open became the first Grand Slam to offer equal prize money after King threatened to lead a boycott.
“When we were dreaming about the tour, dreaming about the same prize money, we thought it would take a long time,” King said.
“There are three things we think about with the Original Nine. First, a girl in this world, if she is good enough, she will have a place to compete. Not to play, but to compete.
“Number two, to respect our achievements, not only visible. And number three, it is very important, to live in tennis, a sport that we love very much.
“As amateurs, we used to earn $14 a day. We really want this. We want it for the next generation. We know that if we do well, it will help us a little. The real thing will be the next generation.
“It’s a nightmare. It’s really scary. I’m scared. But I keep thinking about the future. It’s very clear now, if you know the history, he’s living our dream.”
Naomi Osaka is the top female tennis player, according to Forbes
It took until 2007 for all the Grand Slams to pay the same prize money and, in the decade and a half since, the remuneration has climbed steeply.
Tennis players dominate the world’s highest-paid female athletes – four of the five and seven of the top 10 in 2022, according to Forbeswith Naomi Osaka leading the way.
King is set to turn 80 later this year but has not lost the fire that drove him to change his sport, and he remains one of tennis’ most outspoken figures.
When Aryna Sabalenka lifted the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup at the Australian Open in January and collected more than £1.5m in prize money, her first words were for the woman who gave her the silverware.
“It was an inspiration to receive the trophy from you,” Sabalenka told King. “Thank you so much for everything you’ve done for our sport.”
King has watched Sabalenka beat Elena Rybakina from the front row of Rod Laver Arena along with the six women who helped make tennis the most profitable women’s sport in the world, joined in Melbourne by Casals, Melville, Bartkowicz, Pigeon, Dalton and Ziegenfuss.
WTA agrees news of £125m investment deal
The WTA has announced a new investment deal with CVC Capital Partners worth £125m.
The private equity firm previously owned Formula 1 and has also invested in French and Spanish rugby, cricket and football.
This new deal, which has been in the pipeline for some time, is described as a “strategic partnership” and will see CVC secure a 20 percent stake in the newly created WTA commercial entity.
The partnership aims to generate better commercial growth in the women’s game and raise its profile after a difficult period that has left a gap for the men’s sport.
A statement read: “Starting in 2023, CVC will be a commercial partner of the WTA, investing capital and acting as a catalyst to expand the sport.
“Key focus areas include providing greater access to the sport, investing behind the Tour brand, building player profiles, and investing in digital platforms and commercial capabilities.
“The WTA will continue to have a majority interest in the partnership and retain full regulatory and sporting responsibility for the women’s game.”
The statement also demanded support from the players for the deal, adding that “critical changes” to the calendar would make it easier for fans to follow the players.
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