50th anniversary
The Original 9 in pictures
Nine women (seven Americans and two Australians) who championed equality for women in professional tennis and were the driving force behind the foundation of the WTA.
01
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After a successful junior career, Jane ‘Peaches’ Bartkowicz became a US Open quarterfinalist and won the Canadian Open in 1968. (Getty)
02
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A two-time US Open finalist, Rosie Casals won the groundbreaking Virginia Slims Invitational at Houston in 1970, as well as 10 majors across women’s and mixed doubles. (Getty)
03
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Singles finalist at Wimbledon in 1968, Australia’s Judy Tegart Dalton was runner-up to Casals at Houston, and won nine Grand Slam doubles titles. (Getty)
04
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Julie Heldman, daughter of pioneering tennis promoter Gladys, won the Italian Open in 1969 and reached three Grand Slam singles semifinals. (Getty)
05
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Billie Jean King won 12 Grand Slam singles titles among 39 overall, and spent time as World No.1 in both singles and doubles. (Getty)
06
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Kerry Melville Reid reached the final of the US Open and the first Virginia Slims Championships in 1972, and won her home Slam, the Australian Open, in 1977. (Getty)
07
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The youngest member of the Original 9, Kristy Pigeon won the Wimbledon and US Open juniors as well as the Welsh Open in the adult ranks. (Getty)
08
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Nancy Richey won the Australian Open in 1967 and Roland Garros in 1968, as well as four doubles majors. (Getty)
09
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Valerie Ziegenfuss, pictured at center with fellow player Wendy Overton on a hospital visit, reached the round of 16 at three Slams. (Getty)
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