In 1972, after winning the US Open, Billie Jean King was outraged to receive only $10,000 in prize money—$15,000 less than the men’s champion. Frustrated by the pay gap, she considered walking away from the sport altogether. Eventually, she decided to rally fellow women players to demand equal pay. Her efforts paid off when, in 1973, the US Open became the first major sporting event to offer equal prize money for men and women. Fast forward 50 years, when a teenaged Coco Gauff lifted the title at the Flushing – the youngest American since Serena Williams in 1999 – BJK’s happiness knew no bounds, as she realized that “was the reason” she advocated for women’s sport for so long.

Earlier today, on Coco’s 21st birthday, Billie Jean King took a trip down memory lane, sharing a throwback video of her and Gauff exchanging shots at the 2024 US Open.“It’s so thrilling to pass the baton,” King said at the event. She highlighted the young star’s dedication to social causes and her passion for activism as well. “Coco is unbelievable, not just with what she does on the court, but off the court.”

The clip, posted on social media, captured their fun moment at the US Open’s Fan Week. Along with the video, the 84-year-old icon wrote, “Happy birthday to World No. 3 and the 2023 @usopen Women’s Singles Champion, @CocoGauff! We had so much fun together at the U.S. Open’s Fan Week last summer.” Gauff kept her response simple but heartfelt: “Thank you❤️❤️.”

BJK has long believed that Coco Gauff. is the one to lead the charge in women’s sports. “I was always hoping Coco Gauff because she gave a great speech when she was about sixteen in Florida,” King once said. “I heard her, and I thought, ‘Oh, she’s the one.’ The big thing is most athletes don’t want to truly learn the history and truly learn how to be inclusive.” But was that the only time she heaped praises on Coco? Not really!

Billie Jean King calls Coco Gauff ‘a force’

In a 2023 interview with People, BJK pointed out the deep roots of Gauff’s strength and resilience. She said, “When I see her, she’s the reason we fought so hard 50 years ago. I think she’s such a force. It comes from her grandmother. Her grandmother was the first Black child to go to an all-white school in Delray.”

And Coco is indeed leading the charge. At just 21 years of age, she had the honor of being a flag bearer for Team USA at the Paris Olympics. Not only was she the first tennis player to receive this honor, but she was also the youngest athlete to carry the USA flag.

The former US champion has always been vocal about using her platform to inspire young athletes. In an interview with Forbes, she expressed her hope to be a role model for the next generation. “I hope to inspire the next generation to reach for the stars and dream big, particularly women and girls,” she said. “I hope they will look in the mirror and think, ‘Wow, that could be me.’”

Despite all the success, Gauff’s birthday came right after a disappointing loss in the fourth round of Indian Wells. But even in tough times, support from legends like Billie Jean King can serve as a reminder of how far she has come. A loss stings, but a message from one of the sport’s greatest? That’s got to feel pretty special. What do you think—can Gauff turn the disappointment into motivation for the rest of the season?