‘Put Her In, Coach!’- Billie Jean King’s Practice Session Gets a Whole Lot of Love From Fans as the World Gears Up for International Women’s Tennis’ Gala Event

Billie Jean King recently shared a moment that reminded her fans of her glorious days. The 79-year-old is regarded as one of the Greatest Of All Time in the sport, courtesy of her 39 Grand Slams. King has won the Federation Cup seven times with the US team and has captained four out of them. Her achievements in this 60-year-old tournament have been honored by renaming the Fed Cup as the Billie Jean King Cup. 

The Billie Jean Cup Finals is scheduled to take place from 7 to 12 November at the Estadio de La Cartuja in Seville. 12 nations take part in the finals which compete in 4 groups of 3 to reach the semi-finals of the tournament. The tournament was founded in 1963 to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of ITF. Since then the tournament has witnessed some epic battles in court featuring top performers of the game. One of such top performers couldn’t resist her love for the racket sport even after 40 years of her retirement. Here’s what fans say after seeing the maestro practice ahead of the BJK Cup Finals.

Fans become nostalgic after seeing Billie Jean King practice on the court before the mega-event

The International Tennis Hall of Famer was seen practicing on the courts recently. Perhaps looking for a possible comeback? The septuagenarian kept the options open in case the teams needed any ‘Alternate’. After seeing this beautiful moment the tennis fans hailed the ‘Queen of Tennis’ and flooded social media with their reactions. Here are some of them.

One of the fans became nostalgic seeing BJK with a racket in her hand. It reminded her of watching the legend play in her childhood days.

The 29-year-old American former tennis player, Julia Elbaba also reacted to this by asking the coach to put BJK in the team.

Another fan hailed the True Legend of the sport.

Billie Jean King referred to as the ‘Queen of Tennis’ by others. Why not? She has had an enormous impact on the sport and she’s still contributing.

Others looked pleased with the sound of balls hitting the racket as BJK hit them with ease.

BJK has an enormous contribution on and off the court. She is an advocate of gender equality. King has been a pioneer of equality and social justice throughout the years.

READ MORE: ‘Lost Everything Financially’- Billie Jean King Shares Own Example to Extend Support to ATP Players Over Prolonging ‘Stigma’

Billie Jean King Cup Finals prize money equalling the Davis Cup

There is an unprecedented increase in this year’s prize money in the tournament. $9.6 million is allotted as the total player prize money and it will be shared among the twelve competing nations. The winning team will receive a record $2.4 million in prize money and the runners-up will get $1.44 million. There has been a constant debate on equal pay in tennis and this step finally seems to be a response to the call.

The defending champions Switzerland take on the Czech Republic on the opening day while the runners-up Australia will face Slovenia same day. But, do not rule out the US team. They have been the most successful team in the history of the tournament with 18 titles. Who will end up with the last laugh on November 12?

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