It’s been 53 years since nine courageous women decided it was time to take a stand in the male-dominated world of tennis.
By 1970, inequality was rife in the sport, which had just entered the Open era, as evidenced by the fact that male players earned far more than their female counterparts.
With Billie Jean King as their figurehead, a group of players – known as the “Original Nine” – made the decision to launch a professional women’s tour to challenge the establishment in pursuit of equal rights in tennis.
King was joined by fellow Americans Rosie Casals, Peaches Bartkowicz, Julie Heldman, Kristy Pigeon, Nancy Richey and Valerie Ziegenfuss, as well as two Australians, Judy Dalton and Kerry Melville Reid.
Nancy Richey (left), Billie Jean King (center) and Julie Heldman photographed in 1970. (Getty Images)
With the support of Heldman’s mother Gladys, published in the influential World Tennis Magazine, players signed $1 contracts and, thanks to the sponsorship found, a first tournament was held in Houston, Texas.
A tour evolved from this first event in Houston offering increased prize money, before the creation of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) in 1973, due to its origins through the nine pioneering women.
It was not an easy journey for those who took the risk of launching their own tour.
The suspension of existing tournaments and prevailing sexist attitudes were among the many challenges they faced, but their hard work laid the foundation for the opportunities professional female players enjoy today.
“Why We Were There”
All but Heldman and Richey are in Melbourne this week to attend the Australian Open.
King, who won 12 major singles titles during her legendary career, recalled what she and her fellow trailblazers set out to do.
“There are three things we thought about with the Original Nine,” King said at Melbourne Park.
“It was that any girl in this world – if she was good enough – would have a place to compete. Not to play, but to compete.
“Number two, to be appreciated for our achievements, not just for our looks. And number three – really important – to be able to make a living in tennis, the sport that we had such a passion for.
“That’s what we were here for.”
Rosie Casals was part of the group of pioneering female players in the early 1970s. (Gerty Images/Focus on sport)
Casals, who beat Dalton in the final of the first tournament in Houston, feels immense pride when she reflects on what the WTA Tour has become.
“That tells me we made the right decision,” she said.
“We had to do what we did. It’s great to see what’s happening: the prize money, the fact that we made a great decision because women’s tennis wouldn’t be where it is.”
For Pigeon, the decision to take part in the tour was “a no-brainer,” while Ziegenfuss admits to feeling “nervous.”
Dalton looks back on what she and her comrades did with immense satisfaction.
“I’m very proud. I think we did a fantastic job,” Dalton said.
“I don’t know if we’re all really aware of the effect we had. We hoped we would have a great effect, but I’m not sure we realized it would be as great as it was.”
