Well-Deserved Honor for Billie Jean King

This news absolutely makes my day: Billie Jean King's name will be added to the National Tennis Center during an opening-night ceremony at the U.S. Open. King is a four-time winner of the tournament and won a record 20 Wimbledon titles in singles and doubles.

But BJK (pictured Thursday at a press conference) was an even bigger force off the court where she fought for equal prize money for women athletes, was instrumental in launching the women's professional tennis tour (when the men tried to exclude the female players), and led the fight for equal funding for female sport programs in schools (Title IX). She also founded the Women’s Tennis Association in 1973 and the Women’s Sports Foundation in 1974 in addition to being the co-founder of World TeamTennis. For her many achievements, King was named by Life magazine one of the “100 Most Important Americans of the 20th Century,� and placed No. 5 on Sports Illustrated’s “Top 40 Athletes.�

“This obviously is a great honor for me," said King, who came out as a lesbian in the 1980s. "This outstanding facility is a public park, a place where everyone can come and enjoy our wonderful sport. It is truly humbling that this will link me with Arthur Ashe with whom I celebrated many experiences and shared dreams of the future for this great sport. I know this will continue to be a place where present and future generations of players come out, pick up a racquet, learn a sport and dare to dream big and go for it."

Franklin Johnson, Chairman of the Board and President of the USTA said Thursday: “Billie Jean King is one of tennis’ greatest heroes. Much like Arthur Ashe, for whom our showcase stadium is named, Billie Jean is a champion not only of sport, but a champion of those causes in which she so strongly believes. Her accomplishments have benefited all women in sports, as well as countless women in any number of career fields."

The name change which will take effect Aug. 28, the start of the U.S. Open. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, on hand for the announcement Thursday, said: “Billie Jean King is a legend among legends and we honor her groundbreaking achievements by renaming the USTA National Tennis Center in her honor. She set an exceptionally high standard not only for athletic achievement, but for dignity and perseverance in the pursuit of justice. Billie Jean King is an inspiration to all budding tennis players and all Americans. And as a New Yorker of 30 years, she is the perfect person to receive this well-deserved honor.�

For more about BJK, check out my interview with the tennis legend last month to discuss the current HBO special about her epic life.