The Original 9,

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In 1968 tennis had just turned into a professional sport however, a growing disparity in prize money and playing opportunities for women in professional tennis existed. As a result of their courage, women’s professional tennis as fans around the world enjoys it today was launched on September 23rd, 1970 when 9 women tennis players stood with promoter Gladys Heldman in Houston and held aloft symbolic dollar bills notes. These women that are now known as the Original 9, set into motion the humble beginnings of what would be the Women’s Tennis Association the WTA. Standing, from left: Valerie Ziegenfuss, Billie Jean King, Nancy Richey, Peaches Bartkowicz. Sitting: Judy Dalton, Kerry Melville, Rosie Casals, promoter Gladys Heldman or Julie Heldman, and Kristy Pigeon.

“I felt a sense of both fear and exhilaration. We knew we were making history and we had such a strong sense of purpose. I just kept thinking about the vision we had for the future of our sport. We wanted to ensure that any girl in the world that was good enough would have a place to go and make a living playing tennis.” Billie Jean King

Today the men’s and women’s tennis, the ATP and WTA are still not unified, so the work continues. There would be much more to the story than just this snippet.

https://www.wtatennis.com/news/1558684/original-9-a-legacy-of-independence-and-empowerment

https://www.wtatennis.com/original-9