LONDON, June 2, 2025 — Billie Jean King won Wimbledon 60 years ago. That single victory launched a movement for gender equality in sports.
On July 2, 1965, King, then 21, defeated Maria Bueno 6–4, 7–5 for her first Wimbledon singles title. Prize money for women was a fraction of men’s. King used her winner’s speech to demand equal pay. The disparity was stark: men received £2,000; women got £1,500. King called it “unacceptable.”
Her activism proved relentless. She co-founded the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) in 1973. That same year, she defeated Bobby Riggs in the “Battle of the Sexes,” a televised match watched by 90 million people. She pushed for Title IX enforcement, ensuring federal funding for women’s athletics.
“She started a movement,” a recent Sports Illustrated article noted. “Her 1965 win was the fuse.”
King’s personal life mirrors her public fight. She married former tennis pro Ilana Kloss in 2018. The couple met in the 1970s, began a decades-long relationship, and have since co-managed business ventures, including the World TeamTennis league. Kloss, 69, supported King through her coming out in 2006. “Ilana grounded me,” King told Hello! Magazine. “She’s my partner in everything.”
King’s legacy now reaches a new generation. Arthur Fery, a 22-year-old British player, stormed into the Wimbledon 2026 semifinals. “Can’t believe it,” Fery said after his quarterfinal win. He credited King’s fight for equal opportunity. “Without her, I wouldn’t have the prize money, the coaching, the platform.” The 2026 tournament marks the 60th anniversary of King’s win—and the first year women’s singles prize money matches men’s, a milestone King helped secure.
Fery’s run underscores King’s lasting impact. He is a product of the system she built.
The numbers tell the story: In 1965, the women’s singles champion earned £1,500. In 2025, the winner will receive £2.7 million. The WTA now boasts over 2,500 players from 90 countries.
King, now 81, remains active. She serves on the boards of several sports organizations. “The fight isn’t over,” she said in a recent interview. “Equal pay in tennis was a start. We need it everywhere.”
Her partnership with Kloss reflects that commitment. The couple co-owns the 12-time WTT champion Philadelphia Freedoms. They also founded the Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative, which advocates for workplace equality.
Fery’s Wimbledon run ends Sunday. King’s legacy continues.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: What was Billie Jean King’s 1965 Wimbledon win?
- A: On July 2, 1965, King defeated Maria Bueno 6–4, 7–5 for her first Wimbledon singles title, using her victory speech to demand equal prize money for women.
- Q: How did King’s win impact gender equality in sports?
- A: Her win launched a movement: she co-founded the WTA in 1973, defeated Bobby Riggs in the ‘Battle of the Sexes,’ and pushed for Title IX enforcement.
- Q: Who is Billie Jean King’s spouse?
- A: She married former tennis pro Ilana Kloss in 2018. They have been partners since the 1970s and co-manage business ventures like World TeamTennis.
- Q: How does King’s legacy influence modern players?
- A: British player Arthur Fery credited King’s fight for equal opportunity, saying her activism made today’s prize money and opportunities possible.
Extended Reading
Sports Illustrated: 60 Years Ago, Billie Jean King Won Wimbledon. She Started a Movement.
Hello! Magazine: Meet Billie Jean King’s former tennis pro wife
ESPN: ‘Can’t believe it’ – How Arthur Fery stormed into the Wimbledon 2026 semifinals