Women’s Tennis Today: Will There Ever Be Another Billie Jean King?

As the U.S. Open gets started in New York, I have wildly mixed emotions. Excited, yes. (Something to watch besides French cop shows!) Nostalgic. (My highest ranking was 13 in Southern California, so tennis was a big part of my younger years.) Curious. (Why are so many women sizzling, then fizzling?) To be honest, I was never passionate about playing the game, but I've always enjoyed watching.

Billie Jean King joked that there was a time women players would have killed to get press coverage.

Happily, as many people now are interested in watching the women pound and slice as they are the men. The women hit harder than ever, and they look damn good doing it. Yes, fashion has played a role in the added attention. When Anne White—currently the teaching pro at the Beverly Hills Tennis Club—wore a clingy full-length bodysuit at Wimbledon in 1985, it made news everywhere. She was told to “dress more appropriately” when the match continued after a delay. And if you think looks don’t matter, know that when an Italian named Camila Giorgi recently upset six higher ranked players to win a tournament in Montreal, this kind of notice hit the internet.