When it comes to women’s tennis, there is hardly anyone who won’t remember the heroics of Billie Jean King. A member of the Original 9, she paved the way for the future of women like her and laid the foundation of the WTA. Now, many years later, upcoming stars like Coco Gauff and others are reaping the fruits. Back in 1973, at the US Open, Billie Jean King made history.

Back then, women tennis players earned much less prize money than men, even if they won the tournament. But King, using her influence as the top-ranked player, fought for change. She pushed for equal prize money for men and women. And she succeeded. That year, the US Open became the first major tournament to offer the same prize money to both sexes. King’s efforts didn’t stop there. She went on to lead the formation of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) and served as its first president.

Her actions paved the way for future generations of female athletes. And now, looking back, she beams with pride when she sees players like Coco Gauff earning the same $3 million prize as their male counterparts. “We started in 1973 at the US Open, we got equal prize money, which is huge. At last year’s US Open Coco Gauff got $3 million—and so did Novak Djokovic,” said King while comparing Coco Gauff’s earnings with Novak Djokovic.

However, this is not the first time that Billie Jean King has come ahead to talk about Coco Gauff. In an interview a few months back, she came ahead and suggested that she was the reason why she fought so hard 50 years back.

Billie Jean King says Coco Gauff is the reason why she fought hard 50 years back

Billie Jean King, in another interview, came ahead and suggested how her efforts are now paying the fruit for her. She added her grandmother was the one to attend an all-white school. Besides, being just 19 years old winning the US Open title and achieving a massive feat is something that makes Billie Jean King proud.

“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. To hear her story, if you’re a granddaughter & you’re hearing your grandmother talk about going to a white school, being the only Black child, I think she’s such a force. I want her to be happy, number one. She’s really exciting to watch & a great athlete,” said King in the interview.

Thus, Billie Jean King has always been a beacon of hope when it comes to fighting for the rights of women. Seeing the likes of Coco Gauff and others succeed fills her with pride. Even today, King has always been upfront when it comes to fighting for women or celebrating their legacies.