Fifty years ago, the US Open became the first sporting event in history to offer the same prize money to male and female competitors. Today, on National Equal Pay Day, the Grand Slam starts its nine-month promotional campaign and celebration of equality.
The great Billie Jean King became the pioneer for equal prize money when she won the women’s singles title at the 1972 US Open and unequivocally demanded that the following year’s US Open pay men’s and women’s players equally. King’s ultimatum set the tone for a momentous year ahead, which first saw the formation of the Women’s Tennis Association.