Question 1

True or false: Billie Jean King founded the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) in 1973.

Accepted Answer

True. She led the formation of the WTA to secure equal prize money and better conditions for female tennis players.

Question 2

True or false: Billie Jean King defeated Bobby Riggs in the 'Battle of the Sexes' match in 1973.

Accepted Answer

True. She won the famous match against Bobby Riggs on September 20, 1973, in straight sets, a huge moment for women's sports.

Question 3

True or false: Billie Jean King was publicly outed as gay in 1981, losing all her endorsement deals overnight.

Accepted Answer

True. A former partner sued her for palimony, outing her. She lost sponsors but later became a pioneer for LGBTQ+ rights.

Question 4

True or false: Billie Jean King was the first female athlete to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Accepted Answer

False. She received the medal in 2009, but women like Helen Keller and Rosa Parks earned it earlier for non-sport achievements.

Question 5

True or false: Billie Jean King was a key force behind Title IX, the U.S. law banning sex discrimination in education.

Accepted Answer

True. She lobbied Congress and used her fame to push for Title IX's passage in 1972, transforming women's sports opportunities.

Question 6

True or false: Billie Jean King was the first woman to coach a men's professional tennis player to a Grand Slam title.

Accepted Answer

False. While she mentored many, no woman coached a man to a Grand Slam title until after her time; she focused on team events.

Question 7

True or false: Billie Jean King won the French Open singles title more times than Serena Williams.

Accepted Answer

False. King won one French Open singles title (1972), while Serena won three. King's dominance was on grass, not clay.

Question 8

True or false: Billie Jean King never played doubles at Wimbledon, focusing only on singles.

Accepted Answer

False. She won 10 Wimbledon doubles titles (6 women's, 4 mixed), making her one of the greatest doubles players ever.

Billie Jean King Trivia Questions