Billie Jean King was a basketball player.
Billie Jean King ( née Moffitt ; born November 22 , 1943 ) is an American former World No. 1 professional tennis player . She was a member of the victorious United States team in seven Federation Cups and nine Wightman Cups . For three years , King was the United States ' captain in the Federation Cup . 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 .