NEW YORK, NY, USA - The 50th Anniversary of Billie Jean King’s US Open triple crown will be celebrated before Saturday's women's singles final between Sloane Stephens and Madison Keys.
In 1967, King won the women’s singles, women’s doubles (with Rosie Casals) and mixed doubles (with Owen Davidson) championships.
Throughout her life, King has used her fame to promote equality in and out of sports through her unrelenting fight for equal prize money, as well as the formation of the WTA, the Women's Sports Foundation, World TeamTennis and most recently, the Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative.
“Billie Jean is more than a tennis champion; she is an icon in the truest sense of the word,” said Katrina Adams, USTA Chairman of the Board and President. “Her courage and her vision are unparalleled. She has devoted her entire life to leveling the playing field for all, and because of her more of us have had the opportunity to realize our dreams. I am proud to call her my friend and thrilled to be able to celebrate this marvelous milestone with her.”
One of the most game-changing moments of King’s career was the famous match in which she defeated Bobby Riggs at the Houston Astrodome on September 20, 1973, which became the most watched televised sports event of all time. The upcoming feature film “Battle of the Sexes,” being released on September 22 by Fox Searchlight Pictures, tells the story.
Academy Award winner Emma Stone, who portrays King in the film, said, "Billie Jean is an inspiration to all of us and I was so lucky to play her in Battle of the Sexes. She changed history and continues to be one of the most powerful voices for equality today. What an honor it is to get to be here to celebrate her many achievements."
In the pre-match ceremony in Arthur Ashe Stadium, at the tennis center that bears her name, King will be honored by Adams and Stone, who will be joined by noted singer/songwriter Sara Bareilles who will perform her hit song “Brave,” and has also composed an original song for the film, “If I Dare,” which will be released on September 15.
“Billie Jean is one of the great leaders of our time,” said Bareilles. “Her courage, her conviction, and her willingness to take risks in order to make change are part of what makes her so powerful. One pivotal chapter of her story comes to life so beautifully in the film, and I was honored to help write about it. Getting the opportunity to collaborate with Nick and his gorgeous score for the film only made the project that much sweeter. We hoped to echo Billie Jean’s tremendous resilience in the face of adversity with the song, and capture some of her fierce drive and spirit.”
Bareilles will also perform “America the Beautiful” and be joined by a Color Guard from the United States Marine Corp 6th Communications Battalion, Brooklyn, NY and cadets from the United States Military Academy at West Point, who will unfurl a giant flag across the Arthur Ashe Stadium court during the performance.
