"Original 9" Reunite in Charleston for 40th Anniversary

By Erik Gudris

(April 7th, 2012) In honor of their 40th anniversary, the "Original 9" will reunite in Charleston this weekend at the Family Circle Cup.

Led by Billie Jean King, it was back in 1973 that she along with Peaches Bartkowicz, Rosie Casals, Judy Dalton, Kristy Pigeon, Nancy Richey, Valerie Ziegenfuss, Julie Heldman, and Kerry Melville decided to form the first women's professional tennis tour that eventually led to the modern WTA. The first official WTA event was in Charleston that same year won by Rosie Casals who earned $30,000 in prize money.

Throughout this week's Family Circle Cup, current players reflected on what the original pioneers achieved that allowed them to compete in the biggest and most popular professional sport for women.

"That's why tennis really stands out among all female sports, because these nine ladies took a stand and said, 'We want this, and we want this to happen for us and for our tour,' and now look at us. I think we're the premier sport for all females," said Serena Williams. "I'm really honored they did that. It opened so many doors for me and for every player that's playing now."

"We wouldn't be here where we are today without them," said Sam Stosur. "And it's great that they were able to do that at such a point in time all those years ago when it wasn't probably so easy for women to get what they wanted."

"Those nine women were so inspiring," said Marion Bartoli. "It's because they fought for us that we are here and have women's tennis is where it is right now, the highest sport for women. Billie Jean is a very good friend of mine, and she always e-mails or texts me when I get a great win - it's really sweet of her, and I'm always taking the time to reply. She's such an inspiration for all of us. She's so strong, and she really set the tone for women."