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Billie Jean King won her third consecutive Wimbledon singles title. She also won the singles title at the Australian National Championships earlier in the year. She lost to Virginia Wade in the final of the US Open and to Nancy Richey in the semifinals of the French Open.
Listed below are 23 singles tournaments, 14 of which she won, plus a U. S. versus Australia series. Her win-loss record as listed below is 71–11, 86.59% (37–3 on grass, 24–3 indoors, 7–1 on clay, 1–1 on hard courts, and 2–3 on an unknown surface).
The United States Lawn Tennis Association considered King ineligible for a U. S. ranking because she turned professional during the year. Lance Tingay at the Daily Telegraph (London) ranked her first in the world.
Week of October 30, 1967
South American Championships & Argentina National Championships
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Clay
King in singles:
1R bye
2R d. Ana Maria Cavadini 6-1, 6-3
QF d. Graciela Moran 7-5, 6-4
SF d. Françoise Durr 10-8, 6-4
FN d. Rosemary Casals 6-3, 3-6, 6-2
King in women's doubles with Rosemary Casals:
2R d. Ana Maria Cavadini 6-1, 6-3
QF d. Graciela Moran 7-5, 6-4
SF d. Françoise Durr 10-8, 6-4
FN d. Rosemary Casals 6-3, 3-6, 6-2
King in women's doubles with Rosemary Casals:
QF d. Julia Dorzone / Elvira Eguiguren 6-1, 10-8
SF d. Raquel Giscafre / Graciela Moran 7-5, 6-2
FN lost to Françoise Durr / Norma Baylon Puiggros 6-8, 6-4, 6-3
Week of November 20, 1967
New South Wales Championships
White City Stadium
Sydney, Australia
Grass
King in singles, [1 foreign] seed:
1R bye
2R d. Yveline Boys 6-1, 6-1
QF lost to Judy Tegart Dalton 6-3, 7-9, 6-0
SF d. Raquel Giscafre / Graciela Moran 7-5, 6-2
FN lost to Françoise Durr / Norma Baylon Puiggros 6-8, 6-4, 6-3
Week of November 20, 1967
New South Wales Championships
White City Stadium
Sydney, Australia
Grass
King in singles, [1 foreign] seed:
1R bye
2R d. Yveline Boys 6-1, 6-1
QF lost to Judy Tegart Dalton 6-3, 7-9, 6-0
Singles Note:
In the quarterfinals, Judy Tegart Dalton needed only 17 minutes to win the first set. "[King] ... won [the second set 9-7 just] in the nick of time ... [because she was] practically crippled after [sustaining] ... an injury to her left leg [toward the end of that set]. A torn tendon made her playing almost impossible. Stumbling at the baseline, she could not score any counterpoint in the third set...." But another published report said that King injured her left knee during the second game of the third set and just went through the motions thereafter.
King in women's doubles with Rosemary Casals:
SF King / Casals defaulted. _____________ / ___________ advanced by walkover.
Mixed doubles:
Event not held.
Week of November 27, 1967
Victorian Championships
Kooyong Club
Melbourne, Australia
Grass
General Note:
Evonne Goolagong Cawley won the girls' singles title here. In a mere 3 years, 7 months, she will defeat King in the semifinals and Margaret Smith Court in the final to win the 1971 Wimbledon singles title, At the end of that year, she will be be chosen by most experts as the #1 player in the world for 1971.
King in singles, [1] seed:
1R bye
2R d. Karen Krantzcke 6-2, 6-1
QF d. Judy Tegart Dalton 12-10, 7-5
SF d. Kerry Melville Reid 6-3, 8-6
FN d. Lesley Turner Bowrey 6-3, 3-6, 7-5
Singles Notes:
(1) King led 4-0 in the third set of the final before being broken three consecutive times. With King serving at 5-5, the game went to deuce eight times. Lesley Turner Bowery, however, did not win any of her three break points in that game.
(2) King won her semifinal match with Kerry Melville Reid despite serving 7 double faults in the first set and 6 in the second.
King in women's doubles with Rosemary Casals:
1R d. Marjorie Buck / Mrs. P____ Barnett 6-1, 6-2
QF d. Margaret Smith Court / Gail Sherriff Chanfreau Lovera 6-3, 6-3
SF d. Kerry Melville Reid / Karen Krantzcke 6-4, 6-3
FN d. Mary Ann Eisel Curtis Beattie / Kathleen Harter Marcus Shubin 6-1, 7-5
Women's Doubles Note:
The draw included 16 teams.
King in mixed doubles with Warren Jacques:
QF d. Kathleen Harter Marcus Shubin / Richard Crealy 6-4, 3-6, 7-5
King in mixed doubles with Warren Jacques:
QF d. Kathleen Harter Marcus Shubin / Richard Crealy 6-4, 3-6, 7-5
SF lost to Rosemary Casals / Torben Ulrich 8-6, 6-4
Week of December 4, 1967 (played December 7-8)
International series
Memorial Drive Courts
Adelaide, Australia
Grass
Week of December 4, 1967 (played December 7-8)
International series
Memorial Drive Courts
Adelaide, Australia
Grass
Final Score:
U. S. d Australia 5-1
King in singles:
d. Kerry Melville Reid 6-1, 6-4
d. Judy Tegart Dalton 6-3, 6-1
King in women's doubles with Rosemary Casals:
d. Kerry Melville Reid / Judy Tegart Dalton 6-4, 7-5
Week of December 11, 1967
South Australian Championships
Memorial Drive Courts
Adelaide, Australia
Grass
King in singles, [1] seed:
King in women's doubles with Rosemary Casals:
d. Kerry Melville Reid / Judy Tegart Dalton 6-4, 7-5
Week of December 11, 1967
South Australian Championships
Memorial Drive Courts
Adelaide, Australia
Grass
King in singles, [1] seed:
1R bye
2R d. Sheila Washbourne 6-1, 6-0
3R d. Brenda Jenkins 6-3, 4-6, 6-0
QF d. Janet Young Langford 6-4, 6-1
SF d. Helen Gourlay Cawley 6-0, 6-2
FN lost to [3] Judy Tegart Dalton 4-6, 6-1, 6-4
Singles Notes:
(1) In the final, King was "in command" throughout the first set. But then she started missing shots and Judy Tegart Dalton "served magnificently and consistently smashed well placed shots from the back court." This evened their career head-to-head singles record at 2 matches apiece.
(2) Playing at the "top of her game," King needed only 30 minutes to rout Helen Gourlay Cawley in the semifinals. She "played magnificent tennis.... Her powerful service opened the way for killing placements of Miss Gourlay's weak returns, and she broke through her opponent's service with strong backhand drives and deftly placed cross court volleys."
King in women's doubles with Rosemary Casals:
1R bye
QF d. Judith Salome / Diane James 6-4, 6-3
SF d. Helen Gourlay Cawley / Gail Sherriff Chanfreau Lovera 6-4, 4-6, 6-4
FN d. Kerry Melville Reid / Karen Krantzcke 6-2, 6-4
Mixed doubles:
3R d. Brenda Jenkins 6-3, 4-6, 6-0
QF d. Janet Young Langford 6-4, 6-1
SF d. Helen Gourlay Cawley 6-0, 6-2
FN lost to [3] Judy Tegart Dalton 4-6, 6-1, 6-4
Singles Notes:
(1) In the final, King was "in command" throughout the first set. But then she started missing shots and Judy Tegart Dalton "served magnificently and consistently smashed well placed shots from the back court." This evened their career head-to-head singles record at 2 matches apiece.
(2) Playing at the "top of her game," King needed only 30 minutes to rout Helen Gourlay Cawley in the semifinals. She "played magnificent tennis.... Her powerful service opened the way for killing placements of Miss Gourlay's weak returns, and she broke through her opponent's service with strong backhand drives and deftly placed cross court volleys."
King in women's doubles with Rosemary Casals:
1R bye
QF d. Judith Salome / Diane James 6-4, 6-3
SF d. Helen Gourlay Cawley / Gail Sherriff Chanfreau Lovera 6-4, 4-6, 6-4
FN d. Kerry Melville Reid / Karen Krantzcke 6-2, 6-4
Mixed doubles:
The event was held, but no results for King were found.
Week of January 1, 1968
Western Australia Championships
Royal King's Park Tennis Club
Perth, Australia
Grass
King in singles, [1 foreign] seed:
1R d. Helen Plaisted 6-2, 6-0
QF d. [4 domestic] Gail Sherriff Chanfreau Lovera 6-0, 6-2SF d. [4 foreign] Kathleen Harter Marcus Shubin 8-6, 6-3
FN d. [2 domestic] Margaret Smith Court 6-2, 6-4
Singles Final Note:
The start of the match was delayed by 2 hours, 15 minutes. The women had to wait for the men's singles final to end. Bill Bowrey, the husband of Leslie Turner Bowrey, needed 88 games and 4 hours, 30 minutes to defeat fellow Australian Ray Ruffels 6-8, 11-9, 6-2, 17-19, 6-4.
Margaret Smith Court started the final, which had been marketed optimistically as a "little Wimbledon," by holding serve and then breaking King for a 2-0 lead. In the next game, Smith Court saved two break points at 2-0 (15-40), but King got the break just two points later. Smith Court's one break lead had vanished, and she was not a serious threat thereafter. King ran away with the first set by sweeping its last 6 games.
Smith Court held serve to open the second set. If she were now hopeful of turning around the match, King quickly crushed it. She won 4 of the next 5 games to open a 4-2 lead. Smith Court could not afford to get broken again. And to stay in the match, she had to break King's serve at least once during her next two service games. But King's level of play remained too high for Smith Court to rally.
Smith Court was "plainly nervous and made many simple errors and served many double faults." She said after the match, "I just couldn't get into the match. I volleyed poorly and had trouble holding my service in the first set. It was a disappointing ... [match] for me, but Billie Jean played well."
About 4,000 spectators watched the match, which lasted only 49 minutes.
King in women's doubles with Rosemary Casals:
SF d. Lesley Turner Bowrey / Janet Young Langford 6-2, 6-3
FN d. Margaret Smith Court / Gail Sherriff Chanfreau Lovera 8-6, 4-6, 6-2
King in mixed doubles with Ray Ruffels:
King in mixed doubles with Ray Ruffels:
SF d. Rosemary Casals / Max Senior 6-3, 9-7
FN lost to Margaret Smith Court / Brian Bowman 5-7, 6-4, 6-4
Week of January 8, 1968
Tasmanian Championships
Hobart, Australia
Grass
King in singles, [1 foreign] seed:
Week of January 8, 1968
Tasmanian Championships
Hobart, Australia
Grass
King in singles, [1 foreign] seed:
1R d. Ada Bakker 6-1, 8-6
2R d. Lany Kaligis 6-1, 6-2
3R d. Kaye Dening 6-2, 6-4
QF d. [4 domestic] Karen Krantzcke 8-6, 3-6, 6-1
SF d. [3 foreign] Mary Ann Eisel Curtis Beattie 2-6, 6-4, 6-3
FN d. [1 domestic] Judy Tegart Dalton 6-2, 6-4
Singles Notes:
(1) Judy Tegart Dalton in the semifinals had impressively defeated the usually formidable Margaret Smith Court. But Tegart Dalton's level of play in the final was much worse, perhaps even "well below" her usual standard. Her service was "bad," and she missed easy vollengys. King did not have to do anything special to win other than keep the rally going long enough for Tegart Dalton to make an unforced error.
(2) King played "just hard enough" to defeat Mary Ann Eisel Curtis Beattie in the semifinals.
(3) King trailed Karen Krantzcke 5-1 in the first set of their quarterfinal match. But King impressively won 7 of the next 8 games to prevail 8-6. In the second set, King's level of play reverted to mediocre, like during the first 6 games of the match. But unlike the first set, King was never competitive in the second set. A fatigued King ran away with the third set because Krantzcke was even more tired.
(4) King trailed Kaye Dening 4-0 in the second set of their third round match before King won the last 6 games of the match.
King in women's doubles with Rosemary Casals:
1R d. Lesley Hunt / Vivienne Lancaster 6-3, 6-1
3R d. Kaye Dening 6-2, 6-4
QF d. [4 domestic] Karen Krantzcke 8-6, 3-6, 6-1
SF d. [3 foreign] Mary Ann Eisel Curtis Beattie 2-6, 6-4, 6-3
FN d. [1 domestic] Judy Tegart Dalton 6-2, 6-4
Singles Notes:
(1) Judy Tegart Dalton in the semifinals had impressively defeated the usually formidable Margaret Smith Court. But Tegart Dalton's level of play in the final was much worse, perhaps even "well below" her usual standard. Her service was "bad," and she missed easy vollengys. King did not have to do anything special to win other than keep the rally going long enough for Tegart Dalton to make an unforced error.
(2) King played "just hard enough" to defeat Mary Ann Eisel Curtis Beattie in the semifinals.
(3) King trailed Karen Krantzcke 5-1 in the first set of their quarterfinal match. But King impressively won 7 of the next 8 games to prevail 8-6. In the second set, King's level of play reverted to mediocre, like during the first 6 games of the match. But unlike the first set, King was never competitive in the second set. A fatigued King ran away with the third set because Krantzcke was even more tired.
(4) King trailed Kaye Dening 4-0 in the second set of their third round match before King won the last 6 games of the match.
1R d. Lesley Hunt / Vivienne Lancaster 6-3, 6-1
QF d. Sandra Stephens / Dorothy Whitely 6-4, 6-3
SF lost or defaulted to one of these teams:
Margaret Smith Court / Gail Sherriff Chanfreau Lovera
Judy Tegart Dalton / Mary Ann Eisel Curtis Beattie
Mixed doubles:
SF lost or defaulted to one of these teams:
Margaret Smith Court / Gail Sherriff Chanfreau Lovera
Judy Tegart Dalton / Mary Ann Eisel Curtis Beattie
Mixed doubles:
This event was won by the team of Margaret Smith Court / Graham Stillwell. No results were found for King.
Week of January 15, 1968
Australian National Championships
Kooyong Club
Melbourne, Australia
Grass
King in singles, [1 foreign] seed:
1R bye
2R d. Helen Amos 6-0, 6-2
3R d. Lesley Hunt 6-3, 6-4
QF d. Astrid Suurbeck 6-1, 6-2
SF d. [2 domestic] Judy Tegart Dalton 4-6, 6-1, 6-2
FN d. [4 domestic] Margaret Smith Court 6-1, 6-2
Singles Notes:
3R d. Lesley Hunt 6-3, 6-4
QF d. Astrid Suurbeck 6-1, 6-2
SF d. [2 domestic] Judy Tegart Dalton 4-6, 6-1, 6-2
FN d. [4 domestic] Margaret Smith Court 6-1, 6-2
Singles Notes:
(1) King broke Margaret Smith Court's serve in the opening game of the singles final and 5 times subsequently to overwhelm the Australian. Smith Court broke King only once, in the first game of the second set. Smith Court's backhand broke down continually and she often netted easy volleys. King said, "I did not think it would be quite so easy. I think Margaret was a bit nervous. My ground strokes finally came good, and I played very well. I think the wind upset Margaret and because of that, I tried hard to take her service early, figuring it would upset the rhythm of her game and worry her."
(2) Judy Tegart Dalton won the first set of the semifinal with King because her serve was "working beautifully and she was able to maintain full pressure on the American champion. Mrs. King made many errors, particularly at the net." But in the second set, Tegart Dalton hit numerous double faults. "Mrs. King's game picked up in every phase. She began to kill volleys she had missed earlier and slammed winners off Judy's faltering service. The rattled Australian got worse as the match went on."
(3) King "appeared close to the peak of her game" in trouncing Astrid Surrbeck in the quarterfinals.
(4) King "toyed" with Lesley Hunt in the third round.
King in women's doubles with Rosemary Casals, [1 foreign] seed:
(2) Judy Tegart Dalton won the first set of the semifinal with King because her serve was "working beautifully and she was able to maintain full pressure on the American champion. Mrs. King made many errors, particularly at the net." But in the second set, Tegart Dalton hit numerous double faults. "Mrs. King's game picked up in every phase. She began to kill volleys she had missed earlier and slammed winners off Judy's faltering service. The rattled Australian got worse as the match went on."
(3) King "appeared close to the peak of her game" in trouncing Astrid Surrbeck in the quarterfinals.
(4) King "toyed" with Lesley Hunt in the third round.
King in women's doubles with Rosemary Casals, [1 foreign] seed:
1R bye
2R d. Loris Butterfield / Janine Whyte 6-1, 6-0
QF d. Ada Bakker / Astrid Suurbeck 6-4, 6-2
SF lost to [2 domestic] Lesley Turner Bowrey / Judy Tegart Dalton 6 -2, 6-2
King in mixed doubles with Richard Crealy, [2] seed:
QF d. Ada Bakker / Astrid Suurbeck 6-4, 6-2
SF lost to [2 domestic] Lesley Turner Bowrey / Judy Tegart Dalton 6 -2, 6-2
King in mixed doubles with Richard Crealy, [2] seed:
1R bye
2R d. Astrid Suurbeck / Barry Geraghty 6-1, 6-1
QF d. [7] Rosemary Casals / Warran Jacques 6-1, 9-7
SF d. [3] Karen Krantzcke / Ray Ruffels 6-2, 9-7
FN Won the championship by walkover. [4] Margaret Smith Court / Allan Stone defaulted.
Week of February 12, 1968
New England Women's Invitational Indoor Tennis Championships
North Shore Tennis and Squash Club
Salem, Massachusetts, U. S.
Indoors
King in singles, [1] seed:
QF d. [7] Rosemary Casals / Warran Jacques 6-1, 9-7
SF d. [3] Karen Krantzcke / Ray Ruffels 6-2, 9-7
FN Won the championship by walkover. [4] Margaret Smith Court / Allan Stone defaulted.
Week of February 12, 1968
New England Women's Invitational Indoor Tennis Championships
North Shore Tennis and Squash Club
Salem, Massachusetts, U. S.
Indoors
King in singles, [1] seed:
1R bye
2R d. Ann Murphy 6-0, 6-0
QF d. [5] Vicki Rogers 6-1, 6-4
SF d. [4] Kathleen Harter Marcus Shubin 8-6, 6-1
FN d. [2] Mary Ann Eisel Curtis Beattie 6-3, 6-4
King in women's doubles with Rosemary Casals:
QF d. [5] Vicki Rogers 6-1, 6-4
SF d. [4] Kathleen Harter Marcus Shubin 8-6, 6-1
FN d. [2] Mary Ann Eisel Curtis Beattie 6-3, 6-4
King in women's doubles with Rosemary Casals:
FN d. Mary Ann Eisel Curtis Beattie / Kathleen Harter Marcus Shubin 16-14, 6-3 (39 games)
Week of February 19, 1968
U. S. National Indoor Championships
Winchester, Massachusetts, U. S.
Indoors (artificial grass)
King in singles, [1] seed:
1R bye
2R d. Jade Shiffman 6-0, 6-0
QF d. Patti Hogan Fordyce 6-0, 6-3
SF d. [4] Stephanie DeFina Johnson Hagan 7-5, 6-2
FN d. [3] Rosemary Casals 6-3, 9-7
Singles Notes:
(1) King became only the second woman to win the singles title at this tournament three consecutive years. The other was Nancy Chaffee Kiner Whitaker (1950-52).
(2) In the final, King "gained advantage in the forecourt repeatedly while 19-year old Rosie [Casals] ... elected to remain in the backcourt and depend on her scrambling and blistering drives." King broke serve in the second set to take an 8-7 lead and then held serve to win the title. The final was played before an overflow crowd of 1,500.
(3) In her semifinal match with Stephanie DeFina Johnson Hagan, King trailed in the first set 3-0 (40-15) before storming back.
QF d. Patti Hogan Fordyce 6-0, 6-3
SF d. [4] Stephanie DeFina Johnson Hagan 7-5, 6-2
FN d. [3] Rosemary Casals 6-3, 9-7
Singles Notes:
(1) King became only the second woman to win the singles title at this tournament three consecutive years. The other was Nancy Chaffee Kiner Whitaker (1950-52).
(2) In the final, King "gained advantage in the forecourt repeatedly while 19-year old Rosie [Casals] ... elected to remain in the backcourt and depend on her scrambling and blistering drives." King broke serve in the second set to take an 8-7 lead and then held serve to win the title. The final was played before an overflow crowd of 1,500.
(3) In her semifinal match with Stephanie DeFina Johnson Hagan, King trailed in the first set 3-0 (40-15) before storming back.
King in women's doubles with Rosemary Casals:
SF d. Patti Hogan Fordyce / Valerie Ziegenfuss 6-4, 6-1
FN d. Kathleen Harter Marcus Shubin / Mary Ann Eisel Curtis Beattie 6-2, 6-2
King in mixed doubles with Paul Sullivan:
FN d. Kathleen Harter Marcus Shubin / Mary Ann Eisel Curtis Beattie 6-2, 6-2
King in mixed doubles with Paul Sullivan:
SF d. Valerie Ziegenfuss / Ned Weld 6-2. 8-6
FN lost to Mary Ann Eisel Curtis Beattie / Chauncy Steel 6-4, 6-4
Week of February 26, 1968
Long Island Indoor
Connolly Gymnasium, C. W. Post College
Brookville, New York, U. S.
Indoor carpet
FN lost to Mary Ann Eisel Curtis Beattie / Chauncy Steel 6-4, 6-4
Week of February 26, 1968
Long Island Indoor
Connolly Gymnasium, C. W. Post College
Brookville, New York, U. S.
Indoor carpet
General Notes:
(1) Round robin, Van Allen simplified scoring system was used.
(2) In an exhibition on day 1, Gene Scott, ranked ninth in the United States, spotted King a 10-0 lead but still managed to win 21-17. "Mrs. King played well. One backhand passing shot on the 33rd point left Scott amazed. But he carried the remaining points. If anything, the match showed that reflexes were a decisive factor. Where Mrs. King might have scored with forehand volleys and placements against female rivals, she could not do so against Scott. He returned the shots, went to the net, and put away volleys or drop shots."
Day 1:
d. Rosemary Casals 31-20
d. Mary Ann Eisel Curtis Beattie 31-18
Day 2:
d. Casals 31-22
d. Eisel Curtis Beattie 31-25
Week of March 25, 1968
Garden Challenge Trophy
Madison Square Garden
New York City, New York, U. S.
Indoors ("slow rubberized" surface)
General Note:
Day 1:
d. Rosemary Casals 31-20
d. Mary Ann Eisel Curtis Beattie 31-18
Day 2:
d. Casals 31-22
d. Eisel Curtis Beattie 31-25
Week of March 25, 1968
Garden Challenge Trophy
Madison Square Garden
New York City, New York, U. S.
Indoors ("slow rubberized" surface)
General Note:
This was King's last tournament as an amateur player.
King in singles, [1] seed:
King in singles, [1] seed:
1R d. Elena Subirats 6-0, 6-2
QF d. Winnie Shaw Wooldridge 6-4, 6-4
SF lost to [3] Nancy Richey 4-6, 7-5, 6-0 http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vau...1035/index.htm
Singles Note:
Nancy Richey ended King's 26-match winning streak in the semifinals, which was played before 10,233 spectators. Richey led 4-2 in the first set before King won 9 of the next 10 games to take the set and lead 5-1 in the second set. She served for the match at 5-1, only to be broken. King had a match point on her own service at 5-3. "After a short rally, Mrs. King took the net and Miss Richey sent up a very average lob, which should have meant the end of the match. But Billie Jean hit it just a fraction of a second too late and it landed a foot behind the baseline. That brought the score to deuce and started Nancy on one of the most startling streaks of her—or anyone's—career. From there, the two girls played 51 points, and Billie Jean won just 12 of them." In total, King lost 12 consecutive games after leading 6-4, 5-1 and won only 7 points in the third set, never reaching deuce in a game. "Throughout the crossovers last night, neither had a word or a glance for each other. Nor was there any moment of levity during the action. ... But at the finish Mrs. King raced to the net, said 'well played,' and tapped her softly on the head with her racquet strings."
Week of April 8, 1968 (played April 14)
National Tennis League Professional Tour
Cannes, France
Indoor wood (verified in The Times of London)
General Note:
QF d. Winnie Shaw Wooldridge 6-4, 6-4
SF lost to [3] Nancy Richey 4-6, 7-5, 6-0 http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vau...1035/index.htm
Singles Note:
Nancy Richey ended King's 26-match winning streak in the semifinals, which was played before 10,233 spectators. Richey led 4-2 in the first set before King won 9 of the next 10 games to take the set and lead 5-1 in the second set. She served for the match at 5-1, only to be broken. King had a match point on her own service at 5-3. "After a short rally, Mrs. King took the net and Miss Richey sent up a very average lob, which should have meant the end of the match. But Billie Jean hit it just a fraction of a second too late and it landed a foot behind the baseline. That brought the score to deuce and started Nancy on one of the most startling streaks of her—or anyone's—career. From there, the two girls played 51 points, and Billie Jean won just 12 of them." In total, King lost 12 consecutive games after leading 6-4, 5-1 and won only 7 points in the third set, never reaching deuce in a game. "Throughout the crossovers last night, neither had a word or a glance for each other. Nor was there any moment of levity during the action. ... But at the finish Mrs. King raced to the net, said 'well played,' and tapped her softly on the head with her racquet strings."
Week of April 8, 1968 (played April 14)
National Tennis League Professional Tour
Cannes, France
Indoor wood (verified in The Times of London)
General Note:
The matches were played in a high school gymnasium. King said, "It was pouring rain outside and so stuffy in there that my glasses got all steamed up and I could barely see."
Entire draw:
SF King won over Ann Haydon Jones 10-7 (pro set)
SF Rosemary Casals d. Francois Durr (score unknown)
Third place: Haydon Jones vs. Durr (result unknown)
FN King won over Casals 10-6 (pro set)
Week of April 15, 1968 (probably played April 16-17)
National Tennis League Professional Tour
Paris, France
Indoor wood (verified in The Times of London)
Entire draw:
SF King d. Rosemary Casals 6-1, 6-2
SF Ann Haydon Jones d. Francoise Durr (score unknown)
Third place: Casals vs. Durr (result unknown)
FN King d. Haydon Jones 9-7, 6-4 (verified by a Reuters report in The Times of London)
Week of April ??, 1968
National Tennis League Professional Tour
Lille, France
Unknown surface
?R Ann Haydon Jones won over King 10-6 (pro set) (verified in The Times of London)
Week of April ??, 1968
National Tennis League Professional Tour
Pau, France
Asphalt (verified in The Times of London) (unknown whether indoor or outdoor)
?R lost to Ann Haydon Jones 6-1 (third set, first 2 set scores unknown) (verified in The Times of London)
Week of April 22, 1968 (played April 28)
National Tennis League Professional Tour
Aix-en-Provence, France
Unknown surface
SF Francoise Durr d. King 7-5, 9-7
Week of April 29, 1968
Wembley Professional Lawn Tennis Tournament
London, United Kingdom
Indoor wood
Entire draw:
Entire draw:
SF King won over Ann Haydon Jones 10-7 (pro set)
SF Rosemary Casals d. Francois Durr (score unknown)
Third place: Haydon Jones vs. Durr (result unknown)
FN King won over Casals 10-6 (pro set)
Week of April 15, 1968 (probably played April 16-17)
National Tennis League Professional Tour
Paris, France
Indoor wood (verified in The Times of London)
Entire draw:
SF King d. Rosemary Casals 6-1, 6-2
SF Ann Haydon Jones d. Francoise Durr (score unknown)
Third place: Casals vs. Durr (result unknown)
FN King d. Haydon Jones 9-7, 6-4 (verified by a Reuters report in The Times of London)
Week of April ??, 1968
National Tennis League Professional Tour
Lille, France
Unknown surface
?R Ann Haydon Jones won over King 10-6 (pro set) (verified in The Times of London)
Week of April ??, 1968
National Tennis League Professional Tour
Pau, France
Asphalt (verified in The Times of London) (unknown whether indoor or outdoor)
?R lost to Ann Haydon Jones 6-1 (third set, first 2 set scores unknown) (verified in The Times of London)
Week of April 22, 1968 (played April 28)
National Tennis League Professional Tour
Aix-en-Provence, France
Unknown surface
SF Francoise Durr d. King 7-5, 9-7
Week of April 29, 1968
Wembley Professional Lawn Tennis Tournament
London, United Kingdom
Indoor wood
Entire draw:
SF King d. Rosemary Casals 4-6, 7-5, 7-5
SF Ann Haydon Jones d. Francoise Durr (score unknown)
Third place: Casals vs. Durr (result unknown)
FN King d. Haydon Jones 4-6 (or 3-6), 9-7, 7-5 (37 or 38 games)
Week of May 13, 1968
Madison Square Garden Invitational
SF Ann Haydon Jones d. Francoise Durr (score unknown)
Third place: Casals vs. Durr (result unknown)
FN King d. Haydon Jones 4-6 (or 3-6), 9-7, 7-5 (37 or 38 games)
Week of May 13, 1968
Madison Square Garden Invitational
Madison Square Garden
New York City, New York, U. S.
Indoors
General Note:
New York City, New York, U. S.
Indoors
General Note:
According to the New York Times, King's record as a professional was 9-4 after this tournament, including 3-3 against Ann Haydon Jones.
Entire draw:
Entire draw:
SF King d. Françoise Durr 6-1, 6-3
SF Ann Haydon Jones d. Rosemary Casals (score unknown)
Third place: Casals vs. Durr (result unknown)
FN Haydon Jones d. King 6-4, 6-4
Draws:
(1) The singles, women's doubles, and mixed doubles draws are available.
(2) The singles draw included 96 women (7 rounds for those who did not receive a first round bye, otherwise 6 rounds) with 16 seeds. The women's doubles and mixed doubles draws each included 32 teams (5 rounds) with 8 seeds.
King in singles, [1] seed:
1R bye
2R d. Anne Marie Rouchon 6-2, 6-2
3R d. Margarita De Zuletta 6-1, 6-0
4R d. Lesley Hunt 7-5, 6-1
QF d. [8] Maria Bueno 6-4, 6-4
SF lost to [5] Nancy Richey 2-6, 6-3, 6-4
Singles Notes:
(1) In the semifinals, Nancy Richey ended King's attempt to win 4 consecutive Grand Slam singles tournaments, a "non-calendar year Grand Slam," King had already won Wimbledon and the U. S. National Championships in 1967 and the Australian National Championships this year. This match was played on a side court before only 400 spectators.
(2) Maria Bueno played primarily from the baseline while losing her quarterfinal match to King.
King in women's doubles with Rosemary Casals, [1] seed:
SF Ann Haydon Jones d. Rosemary Casals (score unknown)
Third place: Casals vs. Durr (result unknown)
FN Haydon Jones d. King 6-4, 6-4
Weeks of May 27 & June 3, 1968
French Open
Rolland Garros Stadium
Paris, France
Clay
(1) The singles, women's doubles, and mixed doubles draws are available.
(2) The singles draw included 96 women (7 rounds for those who did not receive a first round bye, otherwise 6 rounds) with 16 seeds. The women's doubles and mixed doubles draws each included 32 teams (5 rounds) with 8 seeds.
King in singles, [1] seed:
1R bye
2R d. Anne Marie Rouchon 6-2, 6-2
3R d. Margarita De Zuletta 6-1, 6-0
4R d. Lesley Hunt 7-5, 6-1
QF d. [8] Maria Bueno 6-4, 6-4
SF lost to [5] Nancy Richey 2-6, 6-3, 6-4
Singles Notes:
(1) In the semifinals, Nancy Richey ended King's attempt to win 4 consecutive Grand Slam singles tournaments, a "non-calendar year Grand Slam," King had already won Wimbledon and the U. S. National Championships in 1967 and the Australian National Championships this year. This match was played on a side court before only 400 spectators.
(2) Maria Bueno played primarily from the baseline while losing her quarterfinal match to King.
King in women's doubles with Rosemary Casals, [1] seed:
1R d. Olga Morozoca / Francesca Giordigiani 6-4, 3-6, 6-3
2R Advanced by walkover. Nicole Niox Chateau / Odile de Roubin defaulted.
QF Advanced by walkover. Julie Heldman / Faye Moore defaulted.
SF d. [4] Annette Van Zyl DuPlooy / Patricia Walkden Pretorius 6-3, 6-2
FN lost to [2] Ann Haydon Jones / Françoise Durr 7-5, 4-6, 6-4
King in mixed doubles with Owen Davidson, [1] seed:
2R Advanced by walkover. Nicole Niox Chateau / Odile de Roubin defaulted.
QF Advanced by walkover. Julie Heldman / Faye Moore defaulted.
SF d. [4] Annette Van Zyl DuPlooy / Patricia Walkden Pretorius 6-3, 6-2
FN lost to [2] Ann Haydon Jones / Françoise Durr 7-5, 4-6, 6-4
King in mixed doubles with Owen Davidson, [1] seed:
1R bye
2R Advanced by walkover. Paola Palacios / Terry Ryan defaulted
3R d. Carole Prosen Kalogeropoulos / Nick Kalogeropoulos 6-1, 6-1
2R Advanced by walkover. Paola Palacios / Terry Ryan defaulted
3R d. Carole Prosen Kalogeropoulos / Nick Kalogeropoulos 6-1, 6-1
QF d. [8] Rosie Maria Reyes Darmon / Pierre Darmon 6-2, 7-5
SF d. [4] Rosemary Casals / Robert Hewitt 5-7, 6-3, 6-1
FN lost to [7] Françoise Durr / Jean-Claude Barclay 6-1, 6-4
Weeks of June 24 & July 1, 1968
Wimbledon
All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club
London, United Kingdom
Grass
General Notes:
SF d. [4] Rosemary Casals / Robert Hewitt 5-7, 6-3, 6-1
FN lost to [7] Françoise Durr / Jean-Claude Barclay 6-1, 6-4
Weeks of June 24 & July 1, 1968
Wimbledon
All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club
London, United Kingdom
Grass
General Notes:
(1) King used an aluminum Wilson T-2000 racquet.
(2) King defeated Lesley Turner Bowrey in all 3 events.
King in singles, [1] seed:
King in singles, [1] seed:
1R bye
2R d. Jane "Peaches" Bartkowicz 7-5, 6-4 (Centre Court)
2R d. Jane "Peaches" Bartkowicz 7-5, 6-4 (Centre Court)
http://www.efootage.com/stock-footag...Jean_King_-_2/
3R d. Stephanie DeFina Johnson Hagan 6-2, 7-5
4R d. Faye Moore 6-2, 6-4
QF d. [8] Lesley Turner Bowrey 6-3, 6-4
SF d. [4] Ann Haydon Jones 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 (Centre Court)
3R d. Stephanie DeFina Johnson Hagan 6-2, 7-5
4R d. Faye Moore 6-2, 6-4
QF d. [8] Lesley Turner Bowrey 6-3, 6-4
SF d. [4] Ann Haydon Jones 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 (Centre Court)
http://www.efootage.com/stock-footag..._At_Wimbledon/
FN d. [7] Judy Tegart Dalton 9-7, 7-5 (Centre Court)
http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=45272 http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=45274 http://www.itnsource.com/shotlist//I...06/FS060768088
Singles Notes:
(1) About the final, The Guardian (London) wrote on July 8, 1968, "Miss Tegart's rash fierce blaze of riot, which had destroyed Nancy Richey in the semifinals, did not last. The pressure of playing in the final took a good deal of the zest from her hitting, and for a time she looked quite subdued. She never led, and she served 11 double faults. ... [I]n times of danger, Mrs. King always managed to produce the right kind of shot. ... Technically, she may not be the greatest of Wimbledon's recent women champions, but even when she is playing badly, she still looks mighty formidable in a crisis." This final is tied for the 28th highest number of games in a Wimbledon women's singles final (updated through 2018).
FN d. [7] Judy Tegart Dalton 9-7, 7-5 (Centre Court)
http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=45272 http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=45274 http://www.itnsource.com/shotlist//I...06/FS060768088
Singles Notes:
(1) About the final, The Guardian (London) wrote on July 8, 1968, "Miss Tegart's rash fierce blaze of riot, which had destroyed Nancy Richey in the semifinals, did not last. The pressure of playing in the final took a good deal of the zest from her hitting, and for a time she looked quite subdued. She never led, and she served 11 double faults. ... [I]n times of danger, Mrs. King always managed to produce the right kind of shot. ... Technically, she may not be the greatest of Wimbledon's recent women champions, but even when she is playing badly, she still looks mighty formidable in a crisis." This final is tied for the 28th highest number of games in a Wimbledon women's singles final (updated through 2018).
(2) In her semifinal with Ann Haydon Jones, King lost her first 2 service games to fall behind 3-1 in the first set. King held serve and then broke Haydon Jones to level at 3-3. Haydon Jones then broke King for the third time followed by a hold of her own service to lead 5-3. King easily held serve to get within 5-4, only for Haydon Jones to hold serve at love to win the first set. King stayed in the match by holding serve at love in the ninth game of the second set. "Ann played a bad game. She slugged every return," King said after the match. But still up a service break, Haydon Jones served for the match at 5-4. At (15-15), King hit a spectacular top spin, cross court backhand winner off of an excellent overhead smash by Haydon Jones for (15-30). The British player won the next point for (30-30). But then she lost 13 consecutive points as King won the set 7-5 and built a (40-0) lead in the first game of the third set before Haydon Jones finally won her next point. Haydon Jones kept on volleying in the third set, but shots that had been falling inside the court fell out. And her first serve lost its accuracy. She said afterwords, "A semifinal at Wimbledon isn't the place to start practicing your first service." When she fell behind 4-2, it became clear that the end was near. Haydon Jones said, "When you are playing someone as good as that, if you don't take the opportunity when it arrives, you don't often get another chance." At the end, King appeared so confident that one would not have believed that she was so close to losing in the second set.
King in women's doubles with Rosemary Casals, [1] seed:
1R bye
2R d. Annette Van Zyl DuPlooy / Patricia Walkden Pretorius 6-2, 7-5
3R d. Cecilia Martinez / Kristy Pigeon 10-8, 6-0
QF d. Margaret Smith Court / Virginia Wade 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 (Centre Court)
SF d. [4] Lesley Turner Bowrey / Judy Tegart Dalton 1-6, 6-1, 10-8 (Centre Court)
FN d. [3] Ann Haydon Jones / Françoise Durr 3-6, 6-4, 7-5 (Centre Court)
Women's Doubles Note:
The Guardian (London) wrote on July 8, 1968, "Sadly, ... Ann [Haydon] Jones was not [formidable] in the women's doubles finals. She and Françoise Durr have been beating Rosemary Casals and Mrs. King regularly on the professional tour, and they won the first set on Saturday, but then they lost the initiative.... [I]n the final set, Mrs. [Haydon] Jones missed all the best chances of regaining it."
King in mixed doubles with Owen Davidson ,[1] seed:
2R d. Annette Van Zyl DuPlooy / Patricia Walkden Pretorius 6-2, 7-5
3R d. Cecilia Martinez / Kristy Pigeon 10-8, 6-0
QF d. Margaret Smith Court / Virginia Wade 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 (Centre Court)
SF d. [4] Lesley Turner Bowrey / Judy Tegart Dalton 1-6, 6-1, 10-8 (Centre Court)
FN d. [3] Ann Haydon Jones / Françoise Durr 3-6, 6-4, 7-5 (Centre Court)
Women's Doubles Note:
The Guardian (London) wrote on July 8, 1968, "Sadly, ... Ann [Haydon] Jones was not [formidable] in the women's doubles finals. She and Françoise Durr have been beating Rosemary Casals and Mrs. King regularly on the professional tour, and they won the first set on Saturday, but then they lost the initiative.... [I]n the final set, Mrs. [Haydon] Jones missed all the best chances of regaining it."
King in mixed doubles with Owen Davidson ,[1] seed:
1R bye
2R d. Victoria Rogers / Roy Barth 7-5, 6-4
3R d. Pauline Roberts / Stanley Matthews 6-2, 6-1
4R d. Faye Moore / Barry Phillips-Moore 6-4, 6-2
2R d. Victoria Rogers / Roy Barth 7-5, 6-4
3R d. Pauline Roberts / Stanley Matthews 6-2, 6-1
4R d. Faye Moore / Barry Phillips-Moore 6-4, 6-2
QF d. [NS] Lesley Turner Bowrey / William Bowrey 7-5, 6-2
SF lost to [4] Margaret Smith Court / Ken Fletcher 6-4, 9-7 (Centre Court)
The following pictures were taken sometime during this tournament.
Week of July 15, 1968 (played July 18-19)
National Tennis League Professional Tour
Los Angeles, California, U. S.
Indoors
Entire draw:
SF lost to [4] Margaret Smith Court / Ken Fletcher 6-4, 9-7 (Centre Court)
The following pictures were taken sometime during this tournament.
Week of July 15, 1968 (played July 18-19)
National Tennis League Professional Tour
Los Angeles, California, U. S.
Indoors
Entire draw:
SF King d. Françoise Durr 10-7 (pro set)
SF Ann Haydon Jones d. Rosemary Casals (score unknown)
Third place: Durr vs. Casals (result unknown)
FN King d. Haydon Jones 12-10, 6-3
Week of July 22, 1968
National Tennis League Professional Tour
Oakland, California, U. S.
Indoors
Entire draw:
SF Ann Haydon Jones d. Rosemary Casals (score unknown)
Third place: Durr vs. Casals (result unknown)
FN King d. Haydon Jones 12-10, 6-3
Week of July 22, 1968
National Tennis League Professional Tour
Oakland, California, U. S.
Indoors
Entire draw:
SF King d. Françoise Durr 6-3, 6-1
SF Rosemary Casals d. Ann Haydon Jones (score unknown)
Third place: Haydon Jones vs. Durr (result unknown)
FN Casals d. King 10-8, 2-6, 6-0
Week of August 5, 1968
National Tennis League Professional Tour
Binghamton, New York, U. S.
Unknown surface
Entire draw:
SF Rosemary Casals d. Ann Haydon Jones (score unknown)
Third place: Haydon Jones vs. Durr (result unknown)
FN Casals d. King 10-8, 2-6, 6-0
Week of August 5, 1968
National Tennis League Professional Tour
Binghamton, New York, U. S.
Unknown surface
Entire draw:
SF King d. Ann Haydon Jones 6-0, 6-3
SF Rosemary Casals d. Françoise Durr (score unknown)
Third place: Haydon Jones vs. Durr (result unknown)
FN King d. Casals 10-8, 6-4
Week of August 12, 1968
National Tennis League Professional Tour
Fort Worth, Texas, U. S.
Hard
Entire draw:
SF Rosemary Casals d. Françoise Durr (score unknown)
Third place: Haydon Jones vs. Durr (result unknown)
FN King d. Casals 10-8, 6-4
Week of August 12, 1968
National Tennis League Professional Tour
Fort Worth, Texas, U. S.
Hard
Entire draw:
SF King d. Rosemary Casals 6-0, 6-4
SF Ann Haydon Jones d. Françoise Durr (score unknown)
Third place: Casals vs. Durr (result unknown)
FN Haydon Jones d. King 6-1, 6-2
General Notes:
SF Ann Haydon Jones d. Françoise Durr (score unknown)
Third place: Casals vs. Durr (result unknown)
FN Haydon Jones d. King 6-1, 6-2
Weeks of August 26 & September 2, 1968
US Open
West Side Tennis Club
Forest Hills, Borough of Queens, New York City
Grass
General Notes:
(1) If form had held, King and Margaret Smith Court, seeded fourth, would have played each other in the semifinals. Maria Bueno, however, upset the Australian in the quarterfinals 7-5, 2-6, 6-3.
(2) King's unseeded quarterfinal opponent, Maryna Godwin Proctor from South Africa, had upset eighth-seeded Kristy Pigeon Crawford in the third round 7-5, 6-4.
Draws:
Draws:
(1) The singles, women's doubles, and mixed doubles draws are available.
(2) The singles draw included 64 women (6 rounds) with 8 seeds. The women's doubles draw included 16 teams (4 rounds) with 4 seeds.
King in singles, [1] seed:
1R d. Vija Vuskalns 6-1, 6-0
2R d. Alice Tym 6-1, 6-4
3R d. Denise Carter Triolo 8-6, 6-3
QF d. [NS] Maryna Godwin Proctor 6-3, 3-6, 6-3
SF d. [5] Maria Bueno 3-6, 6-4, 6-2
FN lost to [6] Virginia Wade 6-4, 6-2
Singles notes:
(1) King said in her 1982 book Billie Jean with Frank Deford, "I got to the finals but my [left] knee was absolutely killing me. The night [after] I beat [Maria] Bueno in the semis in three sets, I had to rest it up over a guitar case I put on the bed, but I still was in such pain I could barely sleep. I was up almost all night crying, and the next day, I couldn't move. Virginia [Wade] jumped all over my serve, and she beat me in straight sets."
King in singles, [1] seed:
1R d. Vija Vuskalns 6-1, 6-0
2R d. Alice Tym 6-1, 6-4
3R d. Denise Carter Triolo 8-6, 6-3
QF d. [NS] Maryna Godwin Proctor 6-3, 3-6, 6-3
SF d. [5] Maria Bueno 3-6, 6-4, 6-2
FN lost to [6] Virginia Wade 6-4, 6-2
Singles notes:
(1) King said in her 1982 book Billie Jean with Frank Deford, "I got to the finals but my [left] knee was absolutely killing me. The night [after] I beat [Maria] Bueno in the semis in three sets, I had to rest it up over a guitar case I put on the bed, but I still was in such pain I could barely sleep. I was up almost all night crying, and the next day, I couldn't move. Virginia [Wade] jumped all over my serve, and she beat me in straight sets."
(2) Bueno was dazzling in the semifinals for a set and a half, but King never gave up and pulled herself into the match. Serving at 3-3 (40-15) in the second set, Bueno missed an easy smash and then erred with a backhand volley. On the next point, she foot-faulted, and from then on, was very much on the defensive. King eased out the set, and the third was one-way traffic in favor of King.
King in women's doubles with Rosemary Casals, [1] seed:
1R d. Judy Tegart Dalton / Betty Rosenquest Pratt 5-7, 6-4, 6-4
King in women's doubles with Rosemary Casals, [1] seed:
1R d. Judy Tegart Dalton / Betty Rosenquest Pratt 5-7, 6-4, 6-4
QF d. Cecilia Martinez / Kristy Pigeon Crawford 6-1, 8-6
SF d. [NS] Virginia Wade / Joyce Williams 12-10, 6-4
FN lost to [3] Margaret Smith Court / Maria Bueno 4-6, 9-7, 8-6 (40 games)
Mixed doubles:
SF d. [NS] Virginia Wade / Joyce Williams 12-10, 6-4
FN lost to [3] Margaret Smith Court / Maria Bueno 4-6, 9-7, 8-6 (40 games)
Mixed doubles:
King did not enter. This event was held at the U. S. National Championships the week before the US Open.
Week of September 16, 1968
Pacific Southwest Championships
Los Angeles Tennis Club
Los Angeles, California, U. S.
Hard
King in singles, [1] seed:
1R King defaulted because of her injured left knee. Pam Teeguarden advanced by walkover.
King had surgery on September 24 to repair cartilage in her left knee. Doctors told her that she would be able to play competitively only 2 more years. King said that her knee did not recover completely from the surgery until May 1969.
King had surgery on September 24 to repair cartilage in her left knee. Doctors told her that she would be able to play competitively only 2 more years. King said that her knee did not recover completely from the surgery until May 1969.
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