Serena Williams, Billie Jean King hail US women’s soccer team, call for equal pay

Tennis legends Billie Jean King and Serena Williams tweeted their congratulations Sunday afternoon to the United States women’s national soccer team following the team’s fourth World Cup victory.

“Congratulations to the #USWNT on their 4th World Cup win! These athletes have brought more attention, support, & pride to women’s sport than perhaps any other team in history. It is long past time to pay them what they rightly deserve,” King tweeted.

Congratulations to the #USWNT on their 4th World Cup win! These athletes have brought more attention, support, & pride to women’s sport than perhaps any other team in history. It is long past time to pay them what they rightly deserve. #USAvNED #WorldCupfinal #EqualPay

— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) July 7, 2019

{mosads}King, the founder of the Women’s Sports Foundation and winner of 39 Grand Slam titles, is also a longtime advocate for gender equality, winning the 1973 “Battle of the Sexes” match against Bobby Riggs and campaigning for equal prize money for men and women in professional tennis.

Serena Williams, holds the record for most Grand Slam tournament wins in the Open Era for both women and men, quoted King’s tweet, adding “Billie says it best here! So happy for each one of you and so proud.”

Congrats team USA! Billie says it best here! So happy for each one of you and so proud. ❤️ @USWNT https://t.co/WK2Yi2z8F4

— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) July 7, 2019

The team’s Sunday victory earned plaudits from President Trump and former President Barack Obama, who hosted the team at the White House after their 2015 victory. The stadium crowd in France erupted in chants of “equal pay” following the 2-0 victory.