Home » Tennis » “We are just getting started.” – Billie Jean King reacts as WTA celebrates 50 years of existence

WTA’s official social media handles shared a video of some of the greatest female tennis stars to have played the sport in the last 50 years.

In the 1-minute video shared by the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), we see the likes of the Williams sisters, Martina Navratilova, Naomi Osaka, Maria Sharapova, Ashleigh Barty, Ons Jabeur, and more players who have been a source of inspiration for the next generation of women to take up the sport.

Billie Jean King
Billie Jean King standing on the court holding the Venus Rosewater Dish with the Doubles Trophies on a table in front of her on Centre Court at The Championships 1973. At The All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon. 1973. Credit – AELTC/Michael Cole

The anniversary film fittingly starts with Billie Jean King. The American legend was the founder of WTA back in 1973. This was after she and 8 other women revolted against the previous governing body in 1970, with the appeal of having equal rights for female players.

The multi-time Grand Slam winner shared the video on her Twitter account and wrote that “we are just getting started”.

“The @WTA is celebrating 50 years of trailblazing achievement and empowerment in 2023.

The best news?

We are just getting started.”

Replying to this tweet, Jean King added about the meeting she had at Gloucester Hotel in London back in 1973 with more than 60 professional tennis players. That meeting led to the formation of what we now know as the WTA.

“So very proud to have led the WTA movement that started in 1973 at the Gloucester Hotel.

Today’s players are living our dreams.”

Fans send in their best wishes as WTA hits 50

Tennis fans have seen some glorious action over the past five decades and they sent in their tributes to Billie Jean King and the WTA on the golden jubilee of the organization.

Billie Jean King is a legend in the world of sports
Tennis legend Billie Jean King speaks during an event last year. (Getty Images)

More Tennis news

Follow our dedicated Tennis page for instant Tennis news and updates