The Legacy of the Original 9

[Kirijax]

Really cool article from Billie Jean King about the Original 9 who started the women's tour back in 1970.

Forty-five years ago, nine of us gathered in Houston, Texas facing one of the most important decisions of our tennis careers and our lives. The group included seven Americans — Rosie Casals, Nancy Richey, Valerie Ziegenfuss, Julie Heldman, Peaches Barkowitz, Kristy Pigeon and me. We were joined by two Australians — Kerry Melville Reid and Judy Tegart Dalton.

History dubbed us the Original 9 and our actions, along with those of former World Tennis Magazine publisher Gladys Heldman, created women’s professional tennis as we know it today.

Full Article