The Billie Jean King Cup will become the first major global team competition to be named after a woman, the International Tennis Federation said Thursday.
"We feel it’s long overdue," ITF president David Haggerty said. "All major team competitions, including Davis Cup, are named after men, and we think it’s really fitting that the women’s world cup of tennis would be named after someone as iconic as Billie Jean King, who changed the face of women’s sports."
"Today, the players are living our dream, and we’re thrilled for them," King said. "Women’s tennis is the leader in women’s sports. We are also leaders in the fight for justice and equality." Then 19 years old, she recalled prodding her teammates: "This is history being made. We have to win it, so we always know we were the first. Come on! They said, Oh god, not you again. We know what the deal is."
"The goal is to continue that outreach and Billie as an iconic figure, who is so well known, can help us do that," Haggerty said. The Billie Jean King Cup Finals are scheduled for April 13-18 in Budapest, Hungary. King said she "absolutely" will attend in April unless there are coronavirus roadblocks.
Were only Michael Jackson songs considered? I would have went with Beat It or Thriller.