American Women At Wimbledon Celebrate US Women’s World Cup Win
By Thomas Cluck
(July 7, 2019) There are no two sports that have given women’s sports more of a platform than tennis, and now soccer. From Serena and Venus Williams to Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan, these global US women’s sports stars have paved the way for generations of future female athletes to come and elevated the fight for equal rights.
At #Wimbledon and the #FIFAWWC, women are writing stories worth sharing…#JoinTheStory #DareToShine #LaGrandeFinale pic.twitter.com/y4DW76PvQB
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 7, 2019
As part of Wimbledon’s new marketing campaign for The Championships 2019, the most prestigious tennis tournament in the world decided to draw attention to the intersectionality of sports and global history, politics, culture, and more, celebrating the success of tennis’ biggest female stars and the women shining on the World Cup stage in France.
And with the remaining US tennis players in London resting on Middle Sunday at Wimbledon ahead of Manic Monday, they took the time off the join in solidarity with their US teammates in soccer on the US Women’s National Team, busy defending their FIFA Women’s World Cup title with a 2-0 victory over The Netherlands in the final in Lyon.
Congratulations to the #USWNT on their 4th World Cup win! These athletes have brought more attention, support, & pride to women’s sport than perhaps any other team in history. It is long past time to pay them what they rightly deserve. ?????? #USAvNED #WorldCupfinal #EqualPay
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) July 7, 2019
An icon of women’s rights and a leader of the feminist movement for the last 50 years, the WTA’s founder and six-time Wimbledon champion was one of the first to congratulate this trailblazing, conversation-changing US Women’s World Cup team on their title at France 2019.
Having led the fight for equal pay in tennis for decades, King is standing with the US Women’s National Team as they sue the US Soccer federation for equal pay with the US Men’s National Team, a team that failed to even qualify for the last FIFA World Cup in 2018 while the US women have won the last two.
“The success story of women’s sports shows how marginalized groups can be given opportunities through policy interventions.”
Thank you, #TitleIX, for this #USWNT, and for giving all girls the opportunity to follow in their footsteps. ?? #FIFAWWC https://t.co/PUdiseUku6
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) July 7, 2019
King, who championed Title IX during and after her time as a player in the 1960s and 1970s, recognized the huge role the law’s passage had in boosting female participation in sports in the US, helping make the US a dominant power in both tennis and soccer.
Congrats team USA! Billie says it best here! So happy for each one of you and so proud. ❤️ @USWNT https://t.co/WK2Yi2z8F4
— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) July 7, 2019
Quite possibly the greatest athlete of all time, 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams congratulated the US women on their back-to-back World Cup titles and fourth overall, hoping to join them in a week’s time as an American woman in the winner’s circle claiming her eighth Wimbledon title.
Congratulations @USWNT What a performance. Pay them what they deserve @FIFAWWC
— James Blake (@JRBlake) July 7, 2019
Former American male star and current Miami Open tournament director James Blake showed his support for his nation’s team’s win and their push for equal pay.
Wrong side of history, buddy. They enthralled the whole country and provided entertainment and pride while dominating an international competition. It’s sad that this day and age it needs to be said that they should be treated fairly. https://t.co/1RdmPgpCD0
— James Blake (@JRBlake) July 7, 2019
Blake, an outspoken activist for gender and racial equality, even wrote a book titled Ways of Grace recently, an ode to American tennis star and political activist Arthur Ashe’s memoir Days of Grace, and explored the many ways athletes have doubled as activists and pushed the conversation forward on social progress from civil rights to women’s rights and LGBTQ+ rights. Blake discussed the pioneering role the US Women’s National Team has played on the issue of women’s rights and gender equality, particularly noting the outspoken work of former US footballer Abby Wambach and current US star Rapinoe, who won the award for Best Player of this World Cup.
Let’s gooooo ????????????#worldchamps #USWNT #teamusa https://t.co/ivHG4owa0N
— Coco Gauff (@CocoGauff) July 7, 2019
Showing the effect trailblazing women such as the Williams sisters and now in soccer the US Women’s National Team can have, the story of this year’s Wimbledon, 15 year-old Coco Gauff, who was inspired to pick up tennis by Venus Williams – whom she upset in the first round, cheered on her country in the World Cup Final and celebrated their crowning as World Champions.