Queens backed by Billie Jean King, Chris Evert

Billy Jean King (left) and Chris Evert address a press conference regarding equal prize money for men and women in tennis during the Miami Open at Crandon Park Tennis Centre in Key Biscayne, Florida (USA), on Wednesday. (Photo: AFP)

Women’s tennis pioneers Billie Jean King and Chris Evert reflected on the struggles that brought women equal pay with men at major events in the wake of the latest gender-equity controversy on Wednesday.

Indian Wells tournament director Raymond Moore resigned on Monday, a day after disparaging remarks about women’s tennis, and Novak Djokovic backed equal pay for men and women players on Wednesday after three days where earlier remarks suggesting men are more popular and should make more money sparked a firestorm of controversy.

“If there is a silver lining to all that has gone on, it;s that there has been such outrage defending the women’s game,” Evert said.

King, who famously beat Bobby Riggs in 1973 a “Battle of the Sexes” match at the Houston Astrodome, saw higher meaning in the fact the equality fight continues.

“It’s not a he thing or a she thing. It’s a we thing. It’s the only way we’re going to make it,” King said.