Tennis legend Billie Jean King has been a fearless advocate for women’s rights and ladies in sports since early in her profession, however she stated there’s nonetheless work to do.
King made historical past in 1973 when she defeated prime tennis participant Bobby Riggs in the well-known “Battle of the Sexes” match. Over 90 million folks worldwide tuned into the match, based on BJK’s official web site. It is the foundation for the 2017 film of the similar identify starring Emma Stone and Steve Carell.
Building on her strides for ladies in sports, King helped discovered the Women’s Tennis Association and have become its first president. She additionally lobbied for equal prize cash for women and men at the U.S. Open, making it the first main event to supply equal prize cash throughout sexes.
As the 2025 U.S. Open descends on New York City, King sat down with CNBC’s Alex Sherman for a wide-ranging interview on the state of women’s sports, uniting tennis throughout males’s and women’s leagues and her perspective on growing old gracefully.
Leveling the taking part in area
Growing up, King stated her father believed in her simply as a lot as he did in her youthful brother. She stated the manner that males use their energy is a key half of the battle for women’s rights.
“We’re taught not to ask for what we want and need. We are totally taught not to do that,” she stated.
But King recounted examples of how girls have led to actual, tangible modifications in the business once they converse up.
When David Stern was commissioner of the NBA, King had been sitting with him in the president’s field at the U.S. Open. After working up the braveness, she stated she requested Stern to vow he would not let the WNBA fail. He agreed and secured the monetary backing to get the league on strong footing.
Similarly, King stated hockey legend Kendall Coyne Schofield got here to her and her spouse, Ilana Kloss, to recruit their assist in beginning the Professional Women’s Hockey League, which had its first recreation in 2024.
“I looked at her, I said, ‘You have no idea how brave you are, because most girls don’t have the guts to even ask.’ But now we have a league because she asked. Kendall asked the question,” King stated.
King stated the female and male tennis gamers have been working collectively an increasing number of over the years. But her purpose to unite the two leagues — the ATP and the WTA — remains to be a piece in progress.
“That’s my prayer for the future,” she stated.
Aging gracefully
To King, growing old simply means extra alternative.
She stated she and her spouse attempt to play tennis collectively thrice per week.
“I’ve read research, you can live almost — especially with tennis, it’s the healthiest sport in the world — that I can live almost 10 years extra, and that’s what I want,” she stated.
On Tuesday, ride-share firm Lyft introduced it’s partnering with King in its “Silver is Gold” campaign in an effort to reframe the dialog round growing old.
King stated Lyft Silver, a service designed for older adults, is helpful as a result of it makes use of bigger font, presents tech help with a reside individual and matches customers with autos which might be simpler to step into. She stated it grants older adults freedom and independence.
And whereas older populations have more and more turned towards pickleball over the previous few years as a supply of train, King stated she’s sticking with tennis.
“I’ve played it a couple of times, but I don’t love the sound,” she stated. “As long as I can play tennis, that’s where the magic is for me, when the ball hits the strings.”