Billie Jean King

Billie Jean King (born November 22 1943, in Long Beach, California) is a retired tennis player from the United States. During her career, she won 12 Grand Slam singles titles and 25 Grand Slam doubles titles. She is considered by many to be one of the greatest tennis players and female athletes in history. King was an outspoken advocate against sexism in sports and in society in general. The match for which she is best remembered is the Battle of the Sexes in 1973, in which she defeated the former Wimbledon men's champion Bobby Riggs.

Trivia

The Elton John song "Philadelphia Freedom" is a tribute to King. http://www.songfacts.com/detail.lasso?id=2475

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