Billie Jean King

In the 1960s and 1970s, women’s tennis lived in the shadow of the men’s game. Female players were celebrated for their victories but received much lower pay and faced limited career opportunities. This pay disparity reflected a society still far from recognizing gender equality—on and off the court.

Billie Jean King, one of the greatest tennis players of all time, decided to rebel. She was among the founders of the Women’s Tennis Association, which united professional players in the fight for equal rights and dignity.

On September 20, 1973, before millions of viewers, the “Battle of the Sexes” took place: King defeated the chauvinist Bobby Riggs—an outspoken opponent of the “rising feminism” in tennis—in straight sets. It was more than a sporting victory: it was a symbolic event proving that talent, commitment, and determination know no gender.

That triumph gave decisive momentum to the recognition of equal prize money in major tournaments—a legacy that remains one of the most tangible outcomes of her struggle.
In this panel, the artist blends multiple techniques to portray King’s multifaceted, determined, and pioneering personality. Layers and transparencies invite the viewer to look closely, revealing hidden details—mirroring the ongoing battles King continues to fight for pay equity, women’s rights in tennis, and LGBTQ+ inclusion.