Original Nine Spotlights
In honor of their induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame, Hall of Fame writer and historian Steve Flink profiles each member of the Original Nine—the pioneering group of women who paved the way for the birth of women's professional tennis—for USOpen.org.
Original Nine Spotlight: Billie Jean King
In this final Original Nine interview, Billie Jean King shares her memories of the start of the women's tour 50 years ago, reminisces about how it all came about and discusses why she is so proud to have played such a prominent role in raising the profile of tennis.
Original Nine Spotlight: Kristy Pigeon
Original Nine member Kristy Pigeon, a multi-faceted individual with a wide range of interests, reflects on her life and brief tennis career in this exclusive and compelling interview.
Original Nine Spotlight: Kerry Melville Reid
Australian Kerry Melville Reid was as admirable a performer as anyone among the “Original Nine.” In this interview, Melville Reid reminisces about her career, her life post-career in the United States, and her husband and kids.
Original Nine Spotlight: Peaches Bartkowicz
Peaches Bartkowicz speaks about her time in tennis, her life since leaving the game, the health ailments she has confronted, and her joy in having made history 50 years ago with the other landmark players who were part of the Original Nine.
Original Nine Spotlight: Valerie Ziegenfuss
In our latest interview commemorating the 50th anniversary of women's professional tennis, Valerie Ziegenfuss, who was just 21 when she became a member of the Original Nine, speaks about her playing days and the life she has led since.
Original Nine Spotlight: Judy Tegart Dalton
In Steve Flink's latest Original Nine interview, Judy Tegart Dalton mused about the formation of the Original Nine, the role she played in that movement and the irrevocable way women’s tennis was altered in the process.
Original Nine Spotlight: Rosie Casals
Rosie Casals was a leader, a prime mover and a shaker, and in 1970, she took on a central role in taking women’s tennis into a new sphere of the sport.
Original Nine Spotlight: Nancy Richey
In his second Original Nine interview, Steve Flink talks to Nancy Richey, who offers her remembrances and insights on the monumental move the women made to establish their own tour.
Original Nine Spotlight: Julie Heldman
In a far-reaching interview, Julie Heldman, one of the members of the Original Nine, reflects on the 50th anniversary of the inaugural tournament in Houston but also addresses other relevant and related topics.