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Billie Jean King has been awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, the United States Tennis Association said on Friday, becoming the first individual female athlete to receive the honor.
President Joe Biden signed the legislation into law on Thursday, recognizing King's groundbreaking contributions both on and off the court.
King has long been a trailblazer for gender equality in sports and society. The 80-year-old's relentless advocacy for equal pay in tennis led to the U.S. Open becoming the first Grand Slam tournament to offer men and women equal prize money in 1973, which cemented her legacy as a champion of women's rights.