Billie Jean King Receives Hollywood Walk of Fame Star

Tennis legend, advocate for equality, and co-founder of the Hologic WTA Tour, Billie Jean King, has been awarded a historic star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The official unveiling took place this week.

King is the first woman to receive this honor in the sports entertainment category, which was introduced in 2023 to recognize athletes` contributions to entertainment. Her star, the 2,807th in total, is located near Hollywood and Vine and was revealed on Monday with the help of Olympic basketball champion Magic Johnson and Oscar-winning actress Jamie Lee Curtis.

“You always fight for what’s right,” Johnson said to King at the ceremony held near the Pantages Theatre. “You use your platform, voice, time, and money to make a difference.”

Curtis added, “Billie Jean King’s contribution is power. She’s powerful on and off the court, in the press, in her public advocacy, in her fight for freedom, and in being true to herself.”

Five-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova, along with King`s peers Rosie Casals and Julie Anthony, also attended the ceremony.

This honor is another recent milestone for the 81-year-old pioneer. Last September, she became the first female athlete to receive the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest honor from the U.S. Congress, for her `courageous and groundbreaking leadership in promoting equal rights for women in sports, education, and society.`

`Words cannot express how honored and grateful I am to receive this star,` King shared on social media. `I may be the first woman in this category, but I certainly won`t be the last.`

King`s recognition comes just before the Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers, the international women`s team tennis competition named after her. The qualifiers begin this week, with countries competing for a place in the Billie Jean King Cup Finals later this year.