In 1972, when Billie Jean King won the US Open, she didn’t simply express hope for future victories. Instead, she issued a threat: she would refuse to play the following year, and she believed that no other women would participate either. This move was in response to the significant disparity in prize money. King received $10,000 for her championship, whereas Ilie Nastase, the male champion, received $15,000 more. “This really stinks,” King commented, emphasizing her dissatisfaction. Despite her concerns and the potential backlash, King stood by her decision. She was determined to fight for equality, even if it meant risking the future of the tournament.
King’s bold stance prompted the US Tennis Association to take action. They made the 1973 US Open the first sporting event to offer equal prize money to both male and female competitors. This historic achievement is being commemorated during this year’s Grand Slam tournament held at the New York City facility now named after King. “We may take it for granted now, but in 1973, the USTA was lightyears ahead of other sports organizations and society as a whole,” stated Stacey Allaster, the first female US Open tournament director. “There is no doubt that Billie’s courage and leadership opened the door for me.”
At the time, King was aware of a survey conducted during the US Open that revealed female players enjoyed greater popularity than they had realized. However, King believed that popularity meant little without equal pay. She took it upon herself to seek sponsors who could make up the $15,000 difference. King’s determination paid off when Bristol Myers Squibb agreed to cover the entire sum. That summer, it was announced that both the men’s and women’s champions at the US Open would receive $25,000.
Fast forward to today, and the US Open winners will each be rewarded with $3 million, while total player compensation has risen to $65 million. According to Forbes, tennis players accounted for seven out of the ten highest-paid women athletes in 2022. “The progress in the presentation of the sport and the establishment of equal prize money 50 years ago has played a significant role in the achievements of women in tennis,” acknowledged Lew Sherr, the executive director of the USTA. King will participate in a ceremony on Monday night to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the gains that resulted from her boldness. “Taking that chance was well worth it,” she reflected.
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