What you should know
With the legendary Billie Jean King as its emblem, the 2023 edition of the United States Open commemorates 50 years since equal prize money between women and men was achieved in this ‘grand slam’. In 1972, King, current champion, organized a protest among tennis players to demand that their prize money at the US Open be equal to those of men. Otherwise, they would boycott the 1973 tournament. In this way, the US Open became the first ‘grand slam’ to establish parity in terms of prize money and, 50 years later, the New York tournament remembers that milestone in an edition whose official poster has the unmistakable image of King.
With the legendary Billie Jean King as its emblem, the 2023 edition of the US Open commemorates 50 years since equal prize money between women and men was achieved in this ‘grand slam’.
In 1972, King, the reigning champion, organized a protest among tennis players to demand that their prize money at the US Open be equal to that of men. Otherwise, they would boycott the 1973 tournament.
In this way, the US Open became the first ‘grand slam’ to establish parity in terms of prize money and, 50 years later, the New York tournament remembers that milestone in an edition whose official poster has the unmistakable King’s image.
The central moment of this tribute was on Monday night with a tribute to King in which former US First Lady Michelle Obama (2009-2017) participated.
“As we honor Billie Jean King and celebrate this tournament and this incredible achievement, let’s remember that all of this is far more important than a champion’s check. This has to do with how women are viewed and valued in this world.” Obama said at Arthur Ashe Stadium, the world’s largest tennis court (with capacity for nearly 24,000 spectators).
Later, Obama wrote on X (the social network formerly known as Twitter) that the tennis player “didn’t just change tennis: she changed the future on and off the court for women and girls.”
“The journey to equality was not an easy or fast journey,” explained King, who indicated that the decision of the US Open “set the tone” for the rest of sports and insisted that the work for real and total equality ” It’s far from over.”
The tribute, which had former US President Barack Obama (2009-2017) among its spectators, ended with a performance by Sara Bareilles.
2023-08-30 14:57:22
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