Tennis fans react to Billie Jean King playing tennis on 80th birthday

By | Niranjan Bhargav 24 Nov, 2023

Tennis fans were ecstatic to see Billie Jean King play on her 80th birthday.

On and off the court, King has left an indelible mark. Throughout her successful career, she won 39 Grand Slam trophies, including 12 singles wins, 16 women’s doubles titles, and 11 mixed doubles titles. Her influence on women’s tennis, however, stretches well beyond the court.

In 1973, King convened many players in London for a particularly unique meeting, which resulted in the formation of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA).

Aside from her athletic achievements, Billie Jean King has been a forerunner in pushing for women’s rights, fair pay for sports, and LGBTQ+ rights.

While on the court, the tennis icon celebrated her 80th birthday with her wife, Ilana Kloss. She turned to social media to share a video of herself hitting some tennis balls on the court.

“Tennis on my 80th,” King said on X (formerly Twitter).

Tennis on my 80th. pic.twitter.com/HHX2Ok3sxB
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) November 22, 2023

Tennis fans were ecstatic to see King perform on the court despite her advanced age. Fans rushed to social media to express their joy. While one admirer called King an “icon,” another said his backhand is “still beautiful” to this day.

“An icon. ? ? ? ,” a fan posted on X (formerly Twitter).

An icon. ???
— Kaivan Shroff (@KaivanShroff) November 22, 2023

“That backhand is still beautiful! ? ? ,” the fan posted.

That backhand is still beautiful! ??
— Dianne Callahan (@DianneCallaha16) November 22, 2023

“Some current ATP players wish they had such clean timing on their forehand,” another individual added.

Some current ATP players wish they had such clean timing on their forehand https://t.co/d9YOt8l5nP
— Bastien Fachan (@BastienFachan) November 22, 2023

Billie Jean King’s birthday is celebrated by Coco Gauff, Iga Swiatek, Jessica Pegula, and many more.

The tennis community joined together to wish tennis legend Billie Jean King a happy 80th birthday.

The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) rushed to social media to broadcast a video of various women’s tennis players, including Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, and Jessica Pegula, wishing King well.

In the video, Gauff discussed how the former World No. 1 campaigned for equal compensation for male and female players.

“Billie Jean King fought for prize money, for women’s tennis, and she accomplished incredible things.” “She took a stand on something where the odds were stacked against her, and you know, everything that we have today came from someone like her,” Gauff said.

Pegula praised King for her continuous support of women’s rights both on and off the court.

“So it’s kind of insane that she’s still doing it today.” “She’s doing it for everyone, not just tennis,” she explained.

"Face your fears; live your passions, be dedicated to your truth."

Wishing a happy 80th birthday to our fearless founder, @BillieJeanKing ? pic.twitter.com/8pPtmYfTWD
— wta (@WTA) November 22, 2023

Julie Heldman, Valerie Ziegenfuss, and Peaches Bartkowicz, together with Maria Sakkari, Ons Jabeur, and Daria Kasatkina, wished Billie Jean King well.