By David Ramirez
Aug 29, 2023, 09:11 AM EDT
Before a stadium full of public and lavish lights, a tribute was paid to the legacy of Billie Jean King, commemorating the 50th anniversary since the US Open equalized the prize money for men and women tennis players, a milestone that later the other major tournaments they followed.
Former first lady Michelle Obama was in charge of highlighting King’s crusade in her fight for equality that began in 1972, when she was champion of the United States Open.
In that year, the winner of 12 Grand Slam titles organized a movement for her fellow players to demand that they should earn the same as men. King said she would boycott the following year’s tournament unless the salary is matched. Indeed, since 1973, the male and female champions of the US Open would receive $25,000 each.
“Let’s remember that all this is much bigger than the salary of a champion. It’s about how women are viewed and valued in this world. We’ve seen how quickly developments like this can be wiped out if we’re not aware and vigilant, if we don’t keep remembering, advocating, organizing, speaking up and, yes, voting,” Obama said.
King’s achievement came the same year he beat Bobby Riggs in the “Battle of the Sexes,” Obama recalled, adding that it was he who said that women “belong in the bedroom and the kitchen, in that order.”
In turn, King said that while equality is celebrated today, the job is far from over.
“The struggle is an endless process. Freedom is never really earned. You earn it and you earn it in every generation,” the 79-year-old former champion said, quoting Coretta Scott King, the wife of Martin Luther King.
The closing of the ceremony was performed by the Grammy Award-winning singer, Sara Bareilles, performing the song “Brave”.
This year, the winners of the US Open will each receive $3 million, and the players’ total compensation will increase to $65 million.