Tennis legend Billie Jean King introduces World Team Tennis at Forest Hills, Queens
In the heart of New York City, the World Team Tennis (WTT) Finals are set to take place this Friday at the West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills. The venue holds a special place in the history of tennis, as it was the stage for Billie Jean King's debut in 1959.
This year, the New York WTT franchise, now known as the Empire, has relocated to Forest Hills, coached by Patrick McEnroe. However, the co-trainer, or assistant coach, of the team remains unmentioned in the available news.
King, a tennis legend and a pioneer for gender and social equality, is deeply connected to the league. She and Ilana Kloss, WTT's commissioner, reside in New York City and engage in year-round grass-roots work for the league.
The WTT embodies King's life philosophy of equality and helping each other. It's a fitting tribute that the Finals are taking place in Forest Hills, a community that King has called home for many years.
King's influence extends beyond the tennis court. She was instrumental in the formation of the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) in 1973 and the Women's Sports Foundation in 1974. Her activism for social equality, which she calls inclusion, continues to this day.
King, one of the first openly gay celebrities in professional sports, is pleased with the progress of the LGBT movement. She credits social media for making a difference, enabling a platform for voices to be heard and for change to be facilitated.
In 1973, King threatened to boycott her U.S. Open title defense if women's prize money didn't equal men's. Her stance led to significant changes in the world of tennis, setting a precedent for equal pay for women athletes.
The U.S. Open, which starts on Monday at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, is a testament to her impact.
Team Tennis, the format used in the WTT Finals, features men's and women's singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. The format encourages spectator participation with fan-friendly rules, making it an exciting event for all.
King is also actively campaigning for her close friend, Hillary Clinton, comparing the Clinton-Donald Trump presidential race to her 1973 'Battle of the Sexes' win over Bobby Riggs.
Fans of the Empire team have been supportive, according to King. WTT has also made a significant impact off the court, providing 350,000 starter rackets to children, fostering a new generation of tennis players.
As the WTT Finals unfold this Friday, it's clear that Billie Jean King's legacy continues to inspire and shape the world of tennis. Her influence extends far beyond the court, as she continues to be a beacon of hope for social equality and inclusion.
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