Billie Jean King is an athlete.
Billie Jean King ( née Moffitt ; born November 22 , 1943 ) is an American former World No. 1 professional tennis player . In 1973 , at age 29 , she won the Battle of the Sexes tennis match against the 55-year-old Bobby Riggs , and was the founder of the Women 's Tennis Association , World TeamTennis ( with former husband Larry King ) , and the Women 's Sports Foundation . In 1972 , King was the joint winner , with John Wooden , of the Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year award and was one of the Time Persons of the Year in 1975 .