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Billie Jean King with Frank Deford

On By Teresa Merklin

Leading up to the release of ‘All In: An Autobiography’ by Billie Jean King last week, this site reviewed many of the previous books about her life. One notable omission was ‘Billie Jean King’ with Frank Deford. It was a simple matter of logistics. A copy of the Deford book did not fall into my hands until shortly after ‘All In’ was released. In retrospect that may have been a stroke of luck. The Billie Jean King biography is arguably best consumed after first reading ‘All In.’

The Tennis Docket: August 30, 2021

On By Teresa Merklin

This week’s tennis news roundup includes a venue change for the Billie Jean King Cup, an impromptu tennis clinic staged by Venus Williams, and a little tournament called the US Open where fans have to provide proof of vaccination, but the players do not. Additionally, any debate over the active player with the best mullet in tennis is put to rest.

The US Open: It’s a Hard Court Life

On By Teresa Merklin

Throughout the history of the US Open tennis championships, the tournament was traditionally conducted on grass courts. That all changed in 1975 when the court surface was switched over to clay. Three years later, the event changed once again to a hard court surface. The original transition from grass to clay was prompted by player complaints about uneven and soft grass courts previously used for the tournament. The subsequent change to hard court was most likely driven by economics.

Who is the Only Woman to Win the US Open on Clay?

On By Teresa Merklin

In anticipation of the start of the 2021 US Open on Monday, I am continuing to explore trivia related to the court surfaces historically used by the tournament. Yesterday we identified the only man to win the singles championship on all three US Open surfaces: grass, clay, and hard. Today’s question is to name the only woman who won the US Open during the three years when the tournament was played on clay.

Who was the Only Player to Win the US Open on Three Different Court Surfaces?

On By Teresa Merklin

Throughout the years, the US Open has been played on grass, clay, and hard court surfaces. Only one player has won the title on all three. It is a record that will never be tied or beaten. It is doubtful that the US Open will ever be contested in the future on any surface other than hardcourt. Even if the USTA decided to make a change, it is doubtful that they would do it twice and on short order.

Let’s Talk a Little More About Hindrance

On By Teresa Merklin

Last Wednesday’s “The Rules of Tennis” post drew a couple of comments that compel me to follow-up. In case you missed it, an umpire called hindrance call against Daniil Medvedev for apologizing to Alexander Bublik during a point in Toronto. This site’s (somewhat) sequential march through the rules of tennis has yet to reach the section of the USTA Friend at Court about talking during a point. Because it is current and relevant, we will jump ahead. It is a case where the written rule diverges significantly from how it is normally carried out in USTA sanctioned matches.

1971: Billie Jean King Wins $100,000

On By Teresa Merklin

In 1971 Billie Jean King was the first woman to win $100,000 playing professional sports in a single year. It was a goal that she had personally set and announced. Talking about money openly was a calculated strategy intended to draw attention to the women’s tour. It gave the media a story to follow and was great publicity. When Billie Jean King cleared the mark by defeating Rosie Casals at the last Virginia Slims tournament, it was a defining moment for women’s professional sports. Legitimacy had arrived.

The Battle of the Sexes

On By Teresa Merklin

“All In: An AutoBiography” by Billie Jean King was released two days ago. I am in the middle of a very busy week at work and haven’t yet completed my initial reading. Last weekend, in anticipation that I would not be able to turn around a review in two days, I hedged my bets by rewatching the “Battle of the Sexes” movie starring Emma Stone as Billie Jean King and Steve Carell as Bobby Riggs. My review of “All In” will run next Thursday.

A Hella Hindrance in Toronto

On By Teresa Merklin

There was an unusual call last week in a match between Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Bublik. Medvedev lost a point for apologizing to Bublik after almost decapitating him with an overhead. Miraculously, Bublik got a racquet on the ball and returned it. The umpire called hindrance on Medvedev for saying “Sorry” when the point was still in play.

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Signs of the Times: Get Out and Play

On By Teresa Merklin

The July Challenge of the USTA Tennis Champions initiative was to put up yard signs to promote tennis participation. I am concentrating my efforts in my childhood hometown of Wichita Falls, Texas. It isn’t my permanent residence, but recently I have had the opportunity to spend a lot of time here. Once upon a time, Wichita Falls was a tennis hotbed with an abundance of courts. Unfortunately, one of the tennis centers is currently shuttered due to lack of public interest. It’s a modern tennis tragedy.