Billie Jean King and Rosie Casals Unveil Pavers Honoring 'Original 9'

Billie Jean King and Rosie Casals Unveil Pavers Honoring ‘Original 9’

Billie Jean King and Rosie Casals photo by Mike Lawrence / USTA

(September 4, 2019) Tennis legends Billie Jean King and Rosie Casals, members of the Original 9, unveiled their pavers honoring Gladys Heldman and the entire Original 9 on the USTA Foundation’s Avenue of Aces® today.

Next year will mark the 50th anniversary of the Original 9 and the signing of their $1 contracts with Gladys Heldman, signifying the birth of women’s professional tennis as we know it today.

Funded by the Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative, these pavers are located in the Billie Jean King neighborhood, the first neighborhood just after the Founder’s Court.