http://www.yardbarker.com/tennis/players/billie_jean_king/127479 Recent articles about Billie Jean King en-us A new ad campaign celebrates the milestone 40th anniversary of the WTA and the female athletes who have rocked both courts and sports over the four decades. In the ads Maria Sharapova channels Monica Seles; Serena Williams echoes Billie Jean King; and Li Na, Chris Evert. There are more but worth noting, the three modern day players below are currently world top earners. Back in the day checks were only for wins (and they were not as much as men's). Look for the new ads and television spots over the course of the coming weeks. Rock on ladies! Wed, 19 Jun 2013 02:00:00 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/tennis/article_external/new_wta_campaign_celebrates_40_years_of_women_rockin_courts_and_sports/13867406 http://network.yardbarker.com/tennis/article_external/new_wta_campaign_celebrates_40_years_of_women_rockin_courts_and_sports/13867406 New WTA campaign celebrates 40 years of women rockin' courts and sports. http://www.yardbarker.com/tennis/articles/new_wta_campaign_celebrates_40_years_of_women_rockin_courts_and_sports/13867406 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/a/2/a2b8a9c97431ca9051519809d9e074839f26947a/mini/AUSTRALIAMELBOURNETENNISAUSTRALIAN_OPENWSSHARAPOVA_29fe.jpg Legends of past and present – from Billie Jean King to Serena Williams – headline global campaign celebrating WTA’s four decades   From the WTA: (June 18, 2013) LONDON, UK – The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), the world’s leading global sport for women, today launched its “40 LOVE” global print, television and digital advertising campaign.  [...] Tue, 18 Jun 2013 03:38:47 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/tennis/article_external/wta_unveils_40_love_global_advertising_campaign/13865921 http://network.yardbarker.com/tennis/article_external/wta_unveils_40_love_global_advertising_campaign/13865921 WTA Unveils “40 LOVE” Global Advertising Campaign http://www.yardbarker.com/tennis/articles/wta_unveils_40_love_global_advertising_campaign/13865921 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/d/d/dd53bfaeb35d601484188e75f9a1d9ce015e4aba/mini/9th-annual-usta-serves.jpg Billie Jean King is branching out to bowling. King is the celebrity owner of the New York City WTT KingPins, joining Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul and former NFL stars Jerome Bettis and Terrell Owens as celebrity owners in the Professional Bowlers Association's inaugural PBA League. King is the first female owner in the PBA League, which begins play this month. The World TeamTennis co-founder will field a team that includes PBA Hall of Famer Pete Weber, 13-time tour winner Tommy Jones and Scott Norton, who recently won the PBA Chameleon Championship in Las Vegas. The eight-team league will make its debut Jan. 19 at Detroit's Thunderbowl Lanes. ESPN will televise five weeks of league competition beginning Jan. 27 and broadcast the Elias Cup finals on April 7. Wed, 02 Jan 2013 19:42:34 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/tennis/article_external/billie_jean_king_buys_bowling_team/12563125 http://network.yardbarker.com/tennis/article_external/billie_jean_king_buys_bowling_team/12563125 Billie Jean King buys bowling team http://www.yardbarker.com/tennis/articles/billie_jean_king_buys_bowling_team/12563125 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png (L-R) Doug King, Cal assistant Tyler Browne, 2011 Napa Classic winner Nick Andrews, Cal finalist Ben McLachlan and Cal head coach Peter Wright WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., September 18, 2012 – The USTA announced today that eight of America’s top juniors will play in a unique tournament format, competing against some of the country’s top collegiate players in the Audi Napa Valley Tennis Classic, September 21-23 at Meadowood Napa Valley in St. Helena, Calif.   This will mark the third straight year juniors are incorporated into the 12-year-old event, a round-robin style tournament that rewards its winner with a USTA wild card entry into a USTA Pro Circuit event. The tournament will feature eight of America’s premier juniors competing against four players from six NCAA Division I schools, including California, Berkeley, Georgia, Harvard, Illinois, Stanford and Texas.   “We’re excited that another group of our top juniors gets to compete against some very strong collegians in a respected, valuab... Tue, 18 Sep 2012 18:50:21 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/tennis/article_external/audi_napa_valley_tennis_classic_featuring_top_us_juniors_gets_underway_this_weekend/11750569 http://network.yardbarker.com/tennis/article_external/audi_napa_valley_tennis_classic_featuring_top_us_juniors_gets_underway_this_weekend/11750569 Audi Napa Valley Tennis Classic Featuring Top US Juniors Gets Underway this Weekend http://www.yardbarker.com/tennis/articles/audi_napa_valley_tennis_classic_featuring_top_us_juniors_gets_underway_this_weekend/11750569 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/d/d/dd53bfaeb35d601484188e75f9a1d9ce015e4aba/mini/9th-annual-usta-serves.jpg     NEW YORK – A US Open Fan Appreciation Sale will be held on Tuesday, September 11th at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. The 50% off Fan Appreciation Sale, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, applies to all products remaining at the US Open. Entrance to the sale is located at the East Gate located next to parking lot B.   FMI (Facility Merchandising Inc.), in association with the United States Tennis Association, produces the exclusive US Open Collection,” which features the 2012 US Open logo. The sale does not apply toward US Open products or merchandise sold by telephone or on the worldwide web.   Mon, 10 Sep 2012 14:00:06 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/tennis/article_external/us_open_fan_appreciation_sale_to_be_held_on_tuesday_at_usta_billie_jean_king_national_tennis_center/11678437 http://network.yardbarker.com/tennis/article_external/us_open_fan_appreciation_sale_to_be_held_on_tuesday_at_usta_billie_jean_king_national_tennis_center/11678437 US Open Fan Appreciation Sale to be Held on Tuesday at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center http://www.yardbarker.com/tennis/articles/us_open_fan_appreciation_sale_to_be_held_on_tuesday_at_usta_billie_jean_king_national_tennis_center/11678437 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png The USTA announced its decision last Thursday to spend hundreds of millions of dollars upgrading the Billie Jean King Tennis Center at Flushing Meadows, site of the US Open. However, their decision to not construct a roof on any of the show courts seems incomprehensible and has been met with disbelief. "Surely any expansion plan should include a roof somewhere down the line," said TV analyst and three-time US Open doubles champion Peter Fleming. "With everyone else building roofs, they're going to leave themselves looking like the poor cousins." Eastbourne's Aegon Championship tournament director Chris Kermode, who also plays a major role at the ATP World Finals in London's Docklands at the end of the year, expressed surprise that no way had been found to include a roof in the USTA's plans. "I would have thought that would be a primary concern," said Kermode. "Wimbledon will have a second roof in a few years when No. 1 Court is covered. Roland Garros will h Tue, 19 Jun 2012 15:30:32 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/tennis/article_external/usta_makes_no_plans_for_stadium_roofs/11046767 http://network.yardbarker.com/tennis/article_external/usta_makes_no_plans_for_stadium_roofs/11046767 USTA makes no plans for stadium roofs http://www.yardbarker.com/tennis/articles/usta_makes_no_plans_for_stadium_roofs/11046767 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/8/3/83a7da526f2b7192d4a055a13358c3c88eb18f6f/mini/open-day.jpg Here is the official news release from the United States Tennis Association about the future development of the Billie Jean King Nationa Tennis Center: United States Tennis Association Unveils Strategic Vision for Future Development at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens   Proposed enhancements to the host site of the US Open designed to preserve long-term viability of tennis center as a world-class spectator venue and outstanding public recreation facility   New York – June 14, 2012 –The United States Tennis Association (USTA) today joined with New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Queens officials to release details of a proposed strategic vision for future development at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center (NTC) in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, the site of the annual, internationally- renowned US Open Championships, one of the four premiere Grand Slam tennis tournaments.   The strategic vision – a series of i... Thu, 14 Jun 2012 11:54:03 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/tennis/article_external/usta_unveils_strategic_vision_for_future_development_at_usta_billie_jean_king_national_tennis_center_in_flushing_meadows_corona_park_queens/11012156 http://network.yardbarker.com/tennis/article_external/usta_unveils_strategic_vision_for_future_development_at_usta_billie_jean_king_national_tennis_center_in_flushing_meadows_corona_park_queens/11012156 USTA Unveils Strategic Vision for Future Development at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens http://www.yardbarker.com/tennis/articles/usta_unveils_strategic_vision_for_future_development_at_usta_billie_jean_king_national_tennis_center_in_flushing_meadows_corona_park_queens/11012156 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/5/9/59b3ad00b7ed71b367b92e22c664cbe1e1adb382/mini/elton-john-and-billie-jean.jpg After a dreadful year of losing, losing and more losing, Melanie Oudin won a match at the French Open for the first time in her career Sunday, beating Johanna Larsson, 6-3 6-3. The 20-year-old American once seen as the country's tennis savior says she's starting to play and feel like a pro again. Now, if she could just find someone to share the Boca Raton, Fla., apartment she leased with fellow American pros Alison Riske and Shelby Rogers. "I'm currently still paying rent," she said. "You would think that a lot of people would be interested. I feel like I need to start putting posters up and put it on Facebook." Oudin moved to Boca Raton last fall after she split up with her long-time coach, Brian de Villiers. The plan was to train at the US Tennis Association's academy, but she wasn't comfortable there and moved to New York to train at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, home of the US Open. She's currently living with a Westchester f Mon, 28 May 2012 03:29:17 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/tennis/article_external/oudin_seeking_tenant_for_apartment/10886798 http://network.yardbarker.com/tennis/article_external/oudin_seeking_tenant_for_apartment/10886798 Oudin seeking tenant for apartment http://www.yardbarker.com/tennis/articles/oudin_seeking_tenant_for_apartment/10886798 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/1/d/1d32de6774ad1519cf025415b5943f344585b799/mini/Puchkova_competes_in_5e7d.jpg Hall of Famer and women's tennis pioneer Billie Jean King is asking members of Congress to help the U.S. Tennis Association with community outreach efforts. King is in Washington to meet with lawmakers and further the USTA's efforts to develop local partnerships around the country. Speaking at the National Press Club on Wednesday, the owner of 12 Grand Slam singles titles and 27 more in women's or mixed doubles said: ''Tennis has given me my platform ... to continue my lifelong quest for equal rights and opportunities for boys and girls, men and women.'' King says the USTA ''is more committed than ever to make tennis more accessible,'' and has built or refurbished more than 25,000 courts in public parks or schools since 2005. Wed, 09 May 2012 19:50:00 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/tennis/article_external/king_takes_ustas_case_to_congress/10757387 http://network.yardbarker.com/tennis/article_external/king_takes_ustas_case_to_congress/10757387 King takes USTA's case to Congress http://www.yardbarker.com/tennis/articles/king_takes_ustas_case_to_congress/10757387 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Hall of Famer and women's tennis pioneer Billie Jean King is asking members of Congress to help the U.S. Tennis Association with community outreach efforts. King is in Washington to meet with lawmakers and further the USTA's efforts to develop local partnerships around the country. Speaking at the National Press Club on Wednesday, the owner of 12 Grand Slam singles titles and 27 more in women's or mixed doubles said: ''Tennis has given me my platform ... to continue my lifelong quest for equal rights and opportunities for boys and girls, men and women.'' King says the USTA ''is more committed than ever to make tennis more accessible,'' and has built or refurbished more than 25,000 courts in public parks or schools since 2005. Wed, 09 May 2012 16:07:06 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/tennis/article_external/billie_jean_king_takes_ustas_case_to_congress/10755896 http://network.yardbarker.com/tennis/article_external/billie_jean_king_takes_ustas_case_to_congress/10755896 Billie Jean King takes USTA's case to Congress http://www.yardbarker.com/tennis/articles/billie_jean_king_takes_ustas_case_to_congress/10755896 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Women's tennis pioneer Billie Jean King had the stadium court at the Family Circle Tennis Center named in her honor. The tournament announced the honor Saturday night during an exhibition celebrating the 40th Family Circle Cup. The tournament was the first played in 1973 and offered women an unheard of $100,000 in prize money. King was instrumental in creating the Women's Tennis Association. She and other members of women's tennis' original nine founding members were reunited at a gala dinner on Friday and introduced before the exhibition, which featured greats such as Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova and John McEnroe. ''Billie Jean King Court'' was unveiled on the walls behind both baselines. Serena Williams takes on Lucie Safarova in the final Sunday. Sat, 07 Apr 2012 22:55:45 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/tennis/article_external/family_circle_tourney_honors_king/10507022 http://network.yardbarker.com/tennis/article_external/family_circle_tourney_honors_king/10507022 Family Circle tourney honors King http://www.yardbarker.com/tennis/articles/family_circle_tourney_honors_king/10507022 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/5/9/59b3ad00b7ed71b367b92e22c664cbe1e1adb382/mini/elton-john-and-billie-jean.jpg Women's tennis pioneer Billie Jean King had the stadium court at the Family Circle Tennis Center named in her honor. The tournament announced the honor Saturday night during an exhibition celebrating the 40th Family Circle Cup. The tournament was the first played in 1973 and offered women an unheard of $100,000 in prize money. King was instrumental in creating the Women's Tennis Association. She and other members of women's tennis' original nine founding members were reunited at a gala dinner on Friday and introduced before the exhibition, which featured greats such as Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova and John McEnroe. ''Billie Jean King Court'' was unveiled on the walls behind both baselines. Serena Williams takes on Lucie Safarova in the final Sunday. Sat, 07 Apr 2012 22:21:58 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/tennis/article_external/family_circle_names_court_after_king/10506872 http://network.yardbarker.com/tennis/article_external/family_circle_names_court_after_king/10506872 Family Circle names court after King http://www.yardbarker.com/tennis/articles/family_circle_names_court_after_king/10506872 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/d/d/dd53bfaeb35d601484188e75f9a1d9ce015e4aba/mini/9th-annual-usta-serves.jpg (Eds: APNewsNow. Will be updated. With AP Photos.) By PETE IACOBELLI AP Sports Writer Billie Jean King loves sharing the story of how the eventual Women's Tennis Association began. King and the other eight women who forged ahead for a tour and better pay have reunited this weekend in Charleston, S.C., to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Family Circle Cup. The nine women each signed $1 contracts with the publisher of World Tennis Magazine, Gladys Heldman, in 1970 to begin a series of women's professional tournaments. King and the others were protesting inequities in prize money and bonuses at tournaments where men got what King said was more than 10 times what the women earned. The WTA tour was formed in 1973, and now players benefit from millions in prize money. Sat, 07 Apr 2012 11:11:13 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/tennis/article_external/king_original_9_reunite_to_honor_womens_tennis/10503563 http://network.yardbarker.com/tennis/article_external/king_original_9_reunite_to_honor_womens_tennis/10503563 King, original 9 reunite to honor women's tennis http://www.yardbarker.com/tennis/articles/king_original_9_reunite_to_honor_womens_tennis/10503563 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png It was Billie Jean King who said, "Pressure is a privilege." World No. 1 Novak Djokovic didn't quite put it that way when he talked to the media Friday at the BNP Paribas Open here, but the sentiments were the same. "As a top player, you just have to deal with the pressure," he said. "You have to understand it, you know, cherish it and accept it as a challenge. Just try to take the best out of it and give your best on every match you play." After his sensational season in 2011, when the super-fit Serb won three of the four Grand Slams before physical wear and tear blunted the edges of his game in September, Djokovic has become a worldwide celebrity and the recipient of numerous awards. He is trying not to get carried away by it all. How did it feel to be on top of the world? "Look, I still have the same daily routine," the Serb replied in his fluent English. "The same approach to my career, to the life that I'm having. I don't consider myself, you k Fri, 09 Mar 2012 23:42:03 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/tennis/article_external/djokovic_accepts_pressure_as_challenge/10274308 http://network.yardbarker.com/tennis/article_external/djokovic_accepts_pressure_as_challenge/10274308 Djokovic accepts pressure as challenge http://www.yardbarker.com/tennis/articles/djokovic_accepts_pressure_as_challenge/10274308 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/f/0/f0b48d6734cb6b10afc9075c46f88d59cfbab17e/mini/2010_Australian_Open_bd84.jpg