Picture this: the year is 1972. Title IX offers a glimmer of hope for young women in schools, a promise of fairer opportunities in sports. Yet, step outside the school gates, and the landscape for female athletes remained largely barren. Equal pay? A distant dream. Respectful recognition? Often nonexistent. Then came a woman with a racket and a roar. Billie Jean King, a name that would ultimately claim 39 Grand Slam titles, saw a future where women athletes were valued equally – a battle that saw the U.S. Open answer her call in 1973 – the very same year she etched her name in history by triumphing over Bobby Riggs in the iconic ‘Battle of the Sexes.’ A year later, in 1974, King established the Women’s Sports Foundation. 51 years on and King hasn’t stopped!

Today, her impact resonates across diverse sports, as an investor in teams like Angel City FC (NWSL), the Los Angeles Sparks (WNBA), and the Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB), and her legacy lives on through the prestigious Billie Jean King Cup (changed from Federation Cup in 2020), the international women’s team tennis competition. Recognition has followed King from time to time!

In 2024, Billie Jean King was bestowed with the prestigious Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian recognition in the United States. This made her the first female athlete ever to receive the honor. Just 6 months later, on April 8th, 2025, Billie Jean King was honored with a Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame in the newly created ‘Sports Entertainment’ category. At 81, she stands alone as the first woman to receive the accolade within this category, a group that includes notable figures like NFL Hall of Famer Michael Strahan and the late actor and former NFL player Carl Weathers.

“Words cannot express how honored and grateful I am,” WTA founder and legend Billie Jean King extended gratitude as she received the honor on Monday. King wrote on her IG, “I may be the first woman to be awarded a star in this category, but I’m certainly not going to be the last.”

The unveiling ceremony took place on Hollywood Boulevard near the Pantages Theatre. Among the celebrity guests present during the occasion were the likes of critically acclaimed actress Jamie Lee Curtis and also NBA legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson. But guess what?

Former tennis star Maria Sharapova was also there, applauding King’s milestone. Initially sharing a brief clip on her social media, Sharapova wrote, “Celebrating the one and only @billiejeanking”. She then revealed a candid moment featuring Magic Johnson and Billie Jean King posing for the cameras. Sharapova then shared an adorable picture with none other than King. Admiring the legend, she wrote, “There is no one more deserving of this honour. Thank you for being you!! @billiejeanking”

Last month, during an interaction with WWD, dated March 7, she talked about King’s incomparable influence. “She touches so many lives,” she began while admiring the Feminist icon. “But she did so from a very early age in my career as a 14-year-old girl when I first met her”

Continuing further she added, “It’s easy for someone like that to speak to bigger names but I was just a young girl playing a junior tournament and I remember her coming up to me and having a fairly serious conversation around, ‘You have this ability to inspire the following generation after you.’ She was already letting me know that there will be a generation following mine and how I handle myself on and off the court eventually impacts the following generation”

But you know what? Her relationship with King is deeper than you think.

When Maria Sharapova opened up about her special and close relationship with Billie Jean King

Back in 2008, when Maria Sharapova won her third Slam at the Australian Open, she revealed about her connection with Billie Jean King. In the final battle that season, Sharapova beat Ana Ivanovic 7-5, 6-3 to lift the trophy without dropping a single set in the entire campaign.

During the post-match conference, the then 20-year-old told about how she received a text message from Billie Jean King. It came before the final match itself. It read, “We need to treat the pressures we face as a privilege,” reported the Guardian in January of that year.

Moreover, Sharapova also talked about how King walked up to her family. It was during the time when Sharapova was participating in a junior event in Roehampton, in London. That time, the Russian was just 13. “I was like, ‘Whoa. That’s pretty amazing.’ From that moment on, she’s been really supportive. It’s wonderful because she’s done so much for the game and I really appreciate it.”

Additionally, she also threw light on the fact that King was always among the first ones to text her after a win or loss. “But, you know, she’s always one of the first people to text me when either I’m having a tough moment or a great win. It’s wonderful because she’s just done so much for the game and such a great supporter of the sport. You know, to spend, whatever it is, a minute of her life sending me a text, is wonderful, you know, wishing me the best,” she said.

Well, that’s an interesting and special bond between two amazing and iconic tennis ladies. What are your thoughts on this connection? Let us know in the comments below.