Billie Jean King counting down the days to equal pay in tennis - 'I’m truly excited'

A huge grin immediately shows up on Billie Jean King’s face when she hears about the recently announced plan the WTA has set to achieve equal prize money in tennis. A few days ago, the women’s tennis tour revealed a pathway for equal compensation that would see women and men receive the same prize money at all combined events by the year 2027, and all non-combined events by 2033. Ad The 79-year-old King, founder of the WTA and a fierce advocate for equality, admits it’s a dream come true, but now has one wish.

Tennis'I was truly excited when I heard' – Billie Jean King on equal prize money2 HOURS AGO “I’m truly excited; when I heard the news, that – I think it’s 2027 we’ll have equal money," she told Eurosport in an interview. «Well, I hope I make it to 2027 so I can see it, that would be wonderful. “It’s taken a lot of people to get to this point and lot of generations, at least decades.

I love the fact the WTA and ATP are working together. “I always wanted it to be one association anyway. So I’m always delighted when I hear the more we work together.

“And to have this equal prize money is always the dream. Because it represents not just tennis, it represents women all over the world and where we’re trying to get to. When you work it’s equal, and get equal pay, and you always want equal respect as well and being good to each other is really important.” King was speaking at a special event held at London’s Gloucester Hotel to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the WTA.