Billie Jean King claims there is something men’s tennis has currently which the women’s game lacks

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The 2025 WTA season has been an exciting one so far, with three different stars lifting Grand Slam titles.

In January, Madison Keys clinched a maiden major crown after defeating world number one Aryna Sabalenka in the Australian Open final.

Coco Gauff followed up her American compatriot at the French Open when she earned her second Grand Slam trophy in Paris.

Then, in July, Iga Swiatek became the first Pole to emerge victorious in singles at the All England Club when she hoisted her first Wimbledon title.

Though the year has featured some incredible tennis, as well as some shocking results, tennis legend Billie Jean King thinks the women’s game is still lacking something.

Billie Jean King gives her verdict on the state of the women’s game

In an interview on CNBC Sport, King was asked if it is better to have a situation where it’s the same few people winning every tournament for engagement, or if it is better to have it wide open.

She responded: “Well, you want both, in a way, you want depth. The women have unbelievable depth.

“Like numbers 400 and 600, you know, you always wonder if maybe they can pull off a big upset. But I think from a media point of view, people like a sense of certainty.

“And through the years, we’ve usually had at least two [big stars]. Like Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova, I think they’ve had the greatest rivalry ever in any sport.

“Eighty times they played. Very rare. I don’t think anybody else has played 80 times.

“Men’s tennis will never have, I don’t think, a Federer, a Nadal, and a Novak Djokovic ever again. Not three.

“We have two right now; Alcaraz and Sinner. They’re fantastic. I’d like to see the women have two or three players.

“We do have Swiatek, we have Gauff, we’ve got some great players up there, but they haven’t solidified it yet. I’m hoping there will be some of that soon.”

Billie Jean King states what she does not like older players saying

King added: “And every generation gets better. My parents used to tell us that, and I agree with them 100%.

“I don’t like when older players go, ‘Oh, you know, we were so much better than they are.” No, we’re not. We’re different.

“In general, they’re bigger, stronger. Look at what they eat, the attention, the information. I’d be so happy today with all this information. I’m that type of person.”

The American finished her playing career with 39 Grand Slam titles in total, including 12 in singles, 16 in women’s doubles, and 11 in mixed doubles.