Billie Jean King Leads the 136th Tournament of Roses Parade
A Legendary Figure Takes the Road
Billie Jean King, with her distinctive dark hair and red-framed eyeglasses, and a rose-red blazer, was unmistakable as she exited the Tournament House on Pasadena’s Orange Grove Avenue the morning of Wednesday, January 1. She nimbly climbed into the car marked "Grand Marshal," a 1937 Rolls-Royce Phantom III, and sat beside her wife, Ilana Kloss, as the tennis star and activist for women and LGBTQ+ rights waited to lead the 5.5-mile slow drive along Colorado Boulevard.
A Personal Connection to the Parade
Before the ride began, she noted just how much the parade itself touched her life early on. "I will always remember it," she said Wednesday. "Growing up in Long Beach. It was such a part of my life. The whole family would watch the Rose Bowl Parade. And then we would watch the football game. It was something we would look forward to every January 1. It was a wonderful opportunity."
A Career of Distinction
Tournament President Ed Morales was his easy pick for Grand Marshal, an ideal grand marshal suited for the parade’s theme, "Best Day Ever!" Her career highlights and impact on society are undeniably stunning. When she was only 17, the Long Beach native won her first women’s doubles title at Wimbledon. In her career, she won 39 Grand Slam singles, doubles, and mixed doubles titles.
Achievements and Milestones
Between 1961 and 1979, she won a record 20 Wimbledon titles, 13 U.S. titles (including four singles), four French Open titles (one singles), and two Australian Open titles (one singles). And what year 1972 was: The U.S. Open, French Open, and Wimbledon – three Grand Slams in a year. She spent six years as the top-ranked female tennis player in the world.
Pioneering Work Off the Court
But all the while, tennis was a stage for something bigger. She pushed for equal prize money in the men’s and women’s games. Her online biography notes that in 1970 she joined the Virginia Slims Tour for women, and in 1971 became the first woman athlete to earn over $100,000 in prize money. Still, when she won the U.S. Open in 1972, King received $15,000 less than the then men’s champion, Ilie Năstase.
The "Battle of the Sexes" and Beyond
She was instrumental in campaigning for equal prize money for female tennis players and pushed for the passage of Title IX, a federal law that provides equal funding for men’s and women’s sports programs prohibits discrimination based on sex or gender in schools and colleges. The result: 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 and a victory on the march toward sporting equity. The "Battle of the Sexes" victory in 1973 against Bobby Riggs, a former men’s world No. 1 player, had more than 90 million people watching worldwide.
Conclusion
Billie Jean King is a true legend in the world of tennis and beyond. Her dedication to equal prize money for female tennis players and her tireless advocacy for Title IX have left a lasting impact on the sports world. As she led the 136th Tournament of Roses Parade, she continues to inspire and motivate new generations to fight for what is right.
FAQs
Q: What was Billie Jean King’s first women’s doubles title at Wimbledon?
A: At 17 years old.
Q: How many Grand Slam titles did Billie Jean King win in her career?
A: 39
Q: What was the theme of the 136th Tournament of Roses Parade?
A: "Best Day Ever!"
Q: Who was Billie Jean King’s wife?
A: Ilana Kloss
