Top 10 greatest American tennis players of all time

#4 Billie Jean King

Billie Jean King

Known for her swiftness, net play and exemplary backhand , Billie Jean King was a regular fixture in singles, doubles and mixed doubles tournaments during the 1960s and 1970s.

King won an astounding 39 Grand Slam titles including 12 Singles, 16 Women’s Doubles and 11 Mixed Doubles titles.

In 1973, King was at the forefront of the formation of the Women's Tennis Association (WTA). Utilising her position as one of the game's champion players, she threatened a boycott of the 1973 US Open if the issue of pay disparity was not addressed.

Her demands were eventually met, and the the US Open became the first Grand Slam to offer equal prize money to women and men. The USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York City was named in her honour as the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

Inducted to the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1987, King continues to remain closely associated with the sport of tennis as an analyst and as a television commentator. She also served as captain of the US Olympics team at the 1996 Atlanta and 2000 Sydney Games.