The year 1970 was a turning point in women’s tennis history. The official tour of professional women’s tennis players came into existence when the Original 9—Peaches Bartkowicz, Rosie Casals, Judy Dalton, Julie Heldman, Billie Jean King, Kristy Pigeon, Kerry Melville, Nancy Richey and Valerie Ziegenfuss—collectively signed a $1 contract.