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Women's Tennis AssociationThe Women's Tennis Association is the governing body of women's professional tennis worldwide. Its season runs from January through November, with international play concluding in December. Players compete in multiple tournaments—on hard, clay, or grass surfaces—including the four major championships that make up the Grand Slam. Modern tennis began in the mid-1870s, but the first tournament to allow women didn't take place until 1884. In 1970, a tournament offered women 88% less prize money than men, leading superstar Billie Jean King and eight other players to sign contracts for $1 to play in a competing tournament with a higher payout. In 1973, King gathered over 50 female tennis professionals and formed the Women's Tennis Association. A few months later, King beat Bobby Riggs in the infamous "Battle of the Sexes" match at the Astrodome, which drew 90 million viewers worldwide and led to the WTA's first TV deal in 1975. The early WTA was dominated by American players, but the organization now represents almost 100 countries. Over 4 million people attended WTA events in 2025. Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina was the top prize winner, taking home $5.2M in prize money.Explore Women's Tennis Association

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Gladys Heldman was a key promoter of pro women's tennisThe photo of the Original Nine holding up their $1 bills after signing their contracts is an iconic image in both the sport and the women's liberation movement. Gladys Heldman isn't in that photo, but she was the promoter behind the tournament and the subsequent Virginia Slims Circuit. This WTA Tennis article dives into her life and her unforgettable contributions to women's tennis. Women's Tennis Association Billie Jean King organized players into the WTAIn 1973, the Virginia Slims Circuit was successful, but when the USLTA demanded a higher tournament fee for Circuit players, promoter Gladys Heldman refused. In response, Billie Jean King met with over 50 players before the 1973 Wimbledon Championships to form the Women's Tennis Association, a move that led to equal pay at the US Open the following year. Women's Tennis Association The Virginia Slims Circuit helped popularize women's tennisFollowing the success of the Original Nine's first tournament, promoter Gladys Heldman worked with Virginia Slims to create a full-scale tour. While short-lived, the Virginia Slims Circuit marked the beginning of women's professional tennis, though it wasn't without complications, including logistical challenges and controversies stemming from its sponsorship by a cigarette brand. Women's Tennis Association

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