Billie Jean King

In 2026, King received an honorary degree from the University of Oxford in their annual Encaenia ceremony.

2026 · Awards and honors

In 2025, King became the first woman to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the category of sports entertainment.

2025 · Awards and honors

In 2024, King received the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement, presented by Christiane Amanpour.

2024 · Awards and honors

King became the first individual female athlete to receive a Congressional Gold Medal, in September 2024, for her "courageous and groundbreaking leadership in advancing equal rights for women in athletics, education, and society."

2024 · Awards and honors

In June 2022, King was awarded the French Legion of Honour by President Emmanuel Macron, on the 50th anniversary of her French Open victory.

2022 · Awards and honors

In 2021, King received the Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award, in recognition of her excellence on the tennis court as well as her life's work in pursuit of gender and racial equality.

2021 · Awards and honors

Three-time World Series champion (2020, 2024, and 2025) as part owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers

2020, 2024, 2025 · Awards and honors

The Fed Cup, the premier international team competition in women's tennis, was renamed the Billie Jean King Cup in September 2020 in her honor.

2020 · Awards and honors

On September 21, 2019, her hometown of Long Beach, California held a grand opening of the Long Beach Public Library's new main library, named after King. The Billie Jean King Main Library is located in Downtown Long Beach, and has exhibited King's Presidential Medal of Freedom.

2019 · Awards and honors

In 2014, she was named one of ESPNW's Impact 25.

2014 · Awards and honors

On August 2, 2013, King was among the first class of inductees into the National Gay and Lesbian Sports Hall of Fame.

2013 · Awards and honors

She was inducted into the Southern California Tennis Hall of Fame on August 5, 2011.

2011 · Awards and honors

She was honored by the Office of the Manhattan Borough President in March 2008 and was included in a map of historical sites related or dedicated to important women.

2008 · Awards and honors

On November 20, 2007, King was presented with the 2007 Sunday Times Sports Women of the Year Lifetime Achievement award for her contribution to sport both on and off the court.

2007, 2007 · Awards and honors

In 2006, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and his wife Maria Shriver inducted King into the California Hall of Fame located at The California Museum for History, Women, and the Arts.

2006 · Awards and honors

In 2006, the Women's Sports Foundation began to sponsor the Billie Awards, which are named after and hosted by King.

2006 · Awards and honors

On August 28, 2006, the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park was rededicated as the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. John McEnroe, Venus Williams, Jimmy Connors, and Chris Evert were among the speakers during the rededication ceremony.

2006 · Awards and honors

In 2003, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) presented her with its highest accolade, the Philippe Chatrier Award, for her contributions to tennis both on and off the court.

2003 · Awards and honors

In 2000, King received an award from GLAAD, an organization devoted to reducing discrimination against gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender people, for "furthering the visibility and inclusion of the community in her work".

2000 · Awards and honors

In 1999 King was inducted into the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame.

1999 · Awards and honors

King was the recipient of the 1999 Arthur Ashe Courage Award.

1999 · Awards and honors

Life magazine in 1990 named her one of the "100 Most Important Americans of the 20th Century".

1990 · Awards and honors

King was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1987.

1987 · Awards and honors

Oldest singles title winner on the WTA Tour (Birmingham 1983): 39 years, 7 months.

1983

In 1972, King became the first female athlete ever to be named Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year.

1972 · Awards and honors

Most doubles matches won in a season (1971): 80.

1971

Most doubles titles won in a season (1971): 21.

1971

Most singles and doubles matches won in a season (1971): 192.

1971

Most singles and doubles titles won in a season (1971): 38.

1971

Most singles matches played in a season (1971): 125.

1971

Most singles matches won in a season (1971): 112.

1971

King was the Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year in 1967.

1967 · Awards and honors

King was shown in Marie Claire magazine's "The 8 Greatest Moments for Women in Sports".

Awards and honors

President of the WTA