Billie Jean King stnading on court holding the Venus Rosewater Dish with the Doubles Trophies on a tablein front of her on Centre Court at The Championships 1973. At The All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon. 1973. Credit – AELTC/Michael Cole
Legendary tennis ace Billie Jean King congratulated current world No. 1, Iga Swiatek, on being named 2022 European Sportsperson of the Year.
Billie Jean King is one of the greatest tennis stars of all time. She enthralled tennis fans throughout her illustrious career that spanned over a couple of decades.
Iga Swiatek, on the other hand, turned pro in 2016 and has already amassed 3 Grand Slam titles along with 8 more titles. The Polish youngster outclassed almost every opponent the WTA Tour had to offer during the 2022 tennis season. Swiatek added a whopping 8 titles in the year including 2 Grand Slam titles at the French Open and the US Open.
Not many could question Swiatek being named the 2022 European Sportsperson of the Year by the Polish Press Agency (PAP). Novak Djokovic won the award for the year 2021, so tennis players have taken the crown in successive years.
Many fans lauded Swiatek as she added another feather to her cap. The 21-year-old’s joy was surely doubled when the stalwart, Billie Jean King, took to Twitter and congratulated her. The former player wrote:
“Congratulations to @iga_swiatek, who was named the European Sportsperson of the year for 2022.”
Tennis fans will be thrilled to know that Billie Jean King will be seen at the first Grand Slam event of the new year.
In 1970, Billie Jean King teamed with 8 other women and made a trailblazing move. They took a stand for equal rights for women and revolted against the governing bodies of that time. They formed their own professional tour with after signing a contract of $1, which was just like a mere formality. The tour provided more money for the female players and it led to the formation of what we now call the WTA Tour.
Billie Jean will be joined by seven members of the Original Nine, which includes Judy Dalton. Kerry Melville Reid, Rosie Casals, Peaches Bartkowicz, Kristy Pigeon, and Valerie Bradshaw at the Australian Open. It is surely going to be an emotional affair for them and the fans. Two other women Julie Heldman and Nancy Richey will not be able to make it Down Under but their best wishes will always be with their friends.
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