Billie Jean King sends heartfelt message to Tracy Austin on 62nd birthday of US Open history-maker

Billie Jean King shared a heartwarming message for former World No.1 Tracy Austin on the tennis icon's 62nd birthday. While the pair competed largely in different eras, it was their 1979 Wimbledon Championship clash that led to Austin's rise to prominence.

King, 35 at the time, was shocked by a 16-year-old Austin during the quarterfinals, losing 6-4, 6-7, 6-2 after the youngster won all of the final six games of the match. The two-time Grand Slam champion went on to become the youngster player to win the US Open later that year as King celebrates her incredible achievement on her 62nd birthday.

Calling her a friend, the 81-year-old shared best wishes for Austin's future and hailed her incredible achievements on the occasion. Sharing a picture of herself with Austin on X, King wrote:

"Sending best wishes for a very happy birthday to our friend @thetracyaustin! Tracy is not only the youngest @usopen Women's Singles champion in history, but she is also the youngest inductee into the @TennisHalloFame, which happened at age 29."

Austin achieved a career-high ranking of World No.1 in 1990 before winning her second US Open title the following year after beating Martina Navratilova in a three-set final. However, her career was cut short by a series of injuries before a car accident in 1989 effectively ended her career.

She, however, announced her retirement in 1994, two years after becoming the youngest player to be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame, at the age of 29.

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"I played shocking" - Billie Jean King recalls losing to 16-year-old Tracy Austin at the 1979 Wimbledon Championships

French Open Tennis. Roland-Garros 2022. - Billie Jean King waves to the crowd (Source: Getty)

Billie Jean King was seeded seventh in the 1979 Wimbledon Championships. Already a six-time champion at the time, she was the overwhelming favorite against 16-year-old Tracy Austin in the Round of 16. However, the tennis ace was challenged by Austin right from the first match point as the latter won her final six games straight.

Speaking in an interview following the match, King admitted she hadn't played great and cited of lack of match practice as one of the reasons behind the shock defeat.

"I played shocking. I played only three tournaments since last year. I'm not match tough. I didn't sustain things too well, I let her back in. Tracy played like Tracy. She played her game better than I played mine. That's why she won and I didn't," Billie Jean King said (as quoted by Shreveportbossieradvocate.com).

While the 81-year-old didn't win any more Wimbledon singles titles in her career, she clinched the women's doubles title with Martina Navratilova in 1979.