My hero Billie Jean King was honored today in Melbourne as Australian Open Woman of the Year

On the 50th anniversary of her Australian Open championship victory, Billie Jean King returned to Melbourne Park and was honored as Woman of the Year.

I’m THRILLED to see BJK getting so much attention in recent years for her unprecedented accomplishments on behalf of tennis, women’s sports and women’s rights in general. She’s a visionary and a pioneer and a leader and remains such an inspirational person on the world stage.

I think the absolute world of her and she is one of my greatest heroes always.

Here is video of the Woman of the Year ceremony.

In addition to her Australian Open singles title, BJK also won the French Open once, the US Open four times and Wimbledon six times.

In all, she won 39 grand slam titles in singles, doubles and mixed doubles.