Fed Cup is renamed the "Billie Jean King Cup"
The most important team competition in women's tennis will be held under a new name in the future. As the world association ITF announced, the event will be named "Billie Jean King Cup" in honor of the "thought leader" in women's tennis.
by SID
last edit: Sep 17, 2020, 03:08 pm
The world association ITF has given tennis idol Billie Jean King a special honor and renamed the Fed Cup the "Billie Jean King Cup". "I am very touched and feel very honored," said the American, who won a total of 39 Grand Slam titles in singles, doubles and mixed.
The most important team competition in women's tennis has been held since 1963. "The Billie Jean King Cup will be based on equality, inclusion and freedom," said the 76-year-old: "This is our time to make history. Be brave, make history."
Billie Jeans fight against discrimination
ITF President David Haggerty particularly praised King's commitment off the pitch. "She has dedicated her life to fighting discrimination," he said. According to the ITF, this is the first time that an international team tournament has been named after a woman. The next edition of the event is scheduled for April in Budapest.
King is considered the mastermind of a tennis tour for women, which she launched together with eight fellow campaigners (The Original 9) in 1970 as the Women's Tennis Association (WTA). Her victory at the "Battle of the Sexes" in September 1973 attracted worldwide attention. In front of 30,472 spectators at the Astrodome in Houston, she defeated three-time Wimbledon winner Bobby Riggs 6: 4, 6: 3, 6: 3, who was disreputed as a chauvinist.