Billie Jean King (USA)
As one of the 20th century's most respected women, Billie Jean King has long been a champion for social change and equality. Ms. King created new inroads for women in and out of sports during her legendary career and she continues to make her mark today.

One of the most illustrious and celebrated tennis players in history, Billie Jean King is recognized for spearheading the women's movement in tennis and for her life-long struggle for equality in women's tennis. She empowered women and educated men when she defeated Bobby Riggs in one of the greatest moments in sports history - the Battle of the Sexes in 1973.

Residing in Chicago, Ms. King has been heralded as an ardent defender of equal rights for all. In 1998 King started the Billie Jean King Foundation which was formed to inspire all humankind in the pursuit of excellence regardless of race, gender, physical or mental challenges, appearance, or sexual orientation. Although her place in tennis has certainly been secured as one of the all-time greats, Ms. King remains active in the sport she loves. She has coached Olympic and Fed Cup teams and done tennis commentary on HBO, CTV, ABC, CBS and NBC.

On the court, King left a lasting and indelible mark. She won a record 20 Wimbledon titles with six of them in singles (1966, 1967, 1968, 1972, 1973, 1975), won the U.S. Open four times (1967, 1971, 1972, 1974), the French Open in 1972 and the Australian Open in 1968. She was ranked No. 1 in the world five times between 1966 and 1972 and was in the Top 10 a total of 17 years (beginning in 1960.)

King has had a long and impressive career of firsts. In 1970, King was one of nine players who broke away from the tennis establishment and accepted $1 contracts from tennis promoter Gladys Heldman in Houston. The revolt led to the formation of the Virginia Slims Tour and Women's Tennis Association. In 1971, she was the first woman athlete to win more than $100,000 in any sport. In 1974 she became the first woman to coach a professional team with men when she served as player/coach for the Philadelphia Freedoms of World TeamTennis.She is a member of the International Tennis Hall of Fame and the National Women's Hall of Fame. She is the founder of the Women's Tennis Association and the Women's Sports Foundation.