Billie Jean King garners the distinction as the inaugural female athlete to be bestowed the Congressional Gold Medal.
The recognition celebrated the elderly person's trailblazing accomplishments, both on and off the court, and honored a "notable life dedicated to promoting equal rights for all, in sports and in society."
The bipartisan bill unanimously passed through the US Senate and House of Representatives before President Joe Biden officially endorsed it on Thursday.
Nine individual athletes, alongside the 1980 US Olympic team, had previously been bestowed the Congressional Gold Medal – Congress' highest accolade for distinguishing achievements. Until now, all recipients had been male figures such as Jesse Owens, Jackie Robinson, and Jack Nicklaus.
Throughout her professional career, she amassed 39 grand slam titles across singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. However, her most iconic victory came in 1973 when she outmatched self-proclaimed misogynist and former men's world No. 1, Bobby Riggs, in the infamous "Battle of the Sexes."
A champion for equal rights, she also played a significant role in advocating for equal pay and establishing the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) in 1973. This led to female tennis players banding together, gaining a collective voice, and the ability to negotiate their contracts, as she explained during an interview with CNN's Christiane Amanpour in 2023.
Beyond tennis, she contributed to the passage of Title IX – a law that guarantees equal funding for co-educational sports programs in schools and universities.
"Billie is one of tennis's most influential figures and ambassadors, yet her influence off the court is even more profound than her achievements on it," Brian Hainline, the USTA's chairman and president, commented, according to Reuters. "She's broken another barrier with this award."
Her legendary tennis victories, including defeating Bobby Riggs in the "Battle of the Sexes," showcased her exceptional skill in the sport. Subsequently, she utilized her platform to advocate for equal pay and establish the Women's Tennis Association, further cementing her influence in both tennis and women's rights movements.
