Former tennis champion and gender equality advocate Billie Jean King was named grand marshal of the 2025 Tournament of Roses parade in Pasadena on Monday.
King spent years as the world’s number-one tennis player, winning 39 Grand Slam titles, including 12 in singles, 16 in women’s doubles and 11 in mixed doubles.
In 1973 at the age of 29, she famously won the “Battle of the Sexes” tennis match against former tennis pro Bobby Riggs, who was 55 at the time.
The event took place at the Houston Astrodome in Texas and drew a national audience with millions watching the match on live television.
King is also the founder of the Women’s Tennis Association and the Women’s Sports Foundation.
The grand marshal will ride down Colorado Boulevard in the Rose Parade, themed “Best Day Ever!” on January 1, 2025.
Singer and actress Audra McDonald handled the grand marshal duties in the 2024 Rose Parade, dubbed “Celebrating a world of music.”
The seven Rose Court finalists were selected from a field of 28 last Monday.
They are Lisette Parker of Maranatha High School, Saniyah Brunston of John Muir High School, Lara Georgian of Mayfield Senior School, Natalia Pradhan of Flintridge Preparatory School, Simone Ball of Arcadia High School, Lindsay Charles of Westridge School and Kate Kelly of La Cañada High School.
The Rose Queen, who will be selected from the Court, is yet to be named.