But they became united in this common cause

That did not stop her playing, in 1970, one of the greatest Wimbledon finals against long-term adversary, the towering Court. It was a straight sets loss for King, but the women played 46 games: 14-12, 11-9.In 1972, King added her only French title to further Wimbledon and U.S. Open wins.Her style of play illuminated not only her lack of the enthusiasm for, and success on, clay, but spoke volumes about her character.She was a hard-hitting shot maker, and a great volleyer despite her 5ft 4in stature. She felt her forehand down the line was weak, so she made a point of hitting it more often. At university, where she was already the most lauded athlete, she met her future husband, Larry King. It was he who pointed out to her that he had a tennis scholarship when she did not solely because she was a woman. The campaign for equal rights beckoned.First, she took on what she called the shamateurism accorded the womens tour, a world where the top players were paid under-the-table fees to grace the major tournaments rather than being paid as professionals.In 1970, she joined the new Virginia Slims Circuit, the first women-only tennis tour.

She helped to form the Womens Tennis Association (W.T.A.) in 1973, and a year later, she founded the Womens Sports Foundation dedicated to advancing womens sports.As the first W.T.A. president, King threatened to lead a boycott of the 1973 U.S. Open if female players werent awarded the same prize money as the men. As a result, it became the first Slam to do just that.Weeks after the Open, King took the fight for gender equality by the throat in possibly her most famous match, known as the Battle of the Sexes. The 55-year-old Bobby Riggs was a former Wimbledon and U.S. Open champion, and had challenged the top female players as a publicity stunt, saying that women just dont have the emotional stability for the game.In May, he had beaten Court in what became known as the Mothers Day Massacre. King had originally turned down Riggss offer to play, but after seeing Court embarrassed 6-2, 6-1 by Riggs, she felt she needed to take up his challenge.

I thought it would set us back 50 years if I didn't win that match.The records of King and Court between 1966 and 1975 had followed similar paths. One or both of them played 35 of the 40 Slam singles tournaments held during this period, and together they won 24 of them.They were like chalk and cheese in looks, in playing style, and in their personal lives. But they became united in this common cause.After studying a tape of Courts match, King became incensed that Riggs had presented Court with a bouquet of flowers before it started. She should have belted him over the head with the flowers rather than accept them! What Court did do, however, was exchange notes with King on tactics.The match became the most watchedby 50 millionin tennis history And even then, King had an eye to equality. She noted that not a single sportswriter covering the event was a woman.She knew her worth and used it to advance her cause. She never had an issue with men and women playing the same length of matchas her Riggs encounter proved. What she did, and continues to, favor is the three-set format for all players, particularly in the context of the modern game.I want every player to play as long as possible and I think the long five-setters are taking a toll on the longevity of the mens careers...I think two out of three is better so we can see more of them. Courage and controversyKing was always unafraid to take on the establishment in her professional life.