The home of the US Open carries the name of Billie Jean King. For former South African No 1 Ilana Kloss and her partner of more than 40 years, the venue is deeply personal every time she enters it.

This year is no exception.

But the story surrounding how the venue acquired King’s name is as captivating as Kloss’s story.

Changed her life

King is also the woman who changed Kloss’s life in a brief moment at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.

Kloss shared her story, and more, in an exclusive interview with The South African at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

The South African legend credits her supportive parents for encouraging her dreams and King for making her fall in love with tennis: “Our parents never ever told us that we couldn’t pursue our dreams because we were girls”.

King’s visit to South Africa (for the South African Championships) proved life‑changing for Kloss.

“She had an amazing impact, because I hit with her for 10 minutes. I was a ball girl, and I was sitting with my dad”.

“Billie told my dad, ‘I recognise your daughter. She’s been picking up balls for me. Can I hit with her for 10 minutes?'”

Ten minutes later, King told Kloss’s father, “Your daughter has talent. If you want, here’s my information, here’s my coach’s information.

“And she introduced me to Wilson Sporting Goods, who then gave me racquets”.

That day was decisive.

“She changed my life, because that day, I decided I wanted to be a professional tennis player. It wasn’t even pro tennis yet. They were still getting, money under the table – the envelopes and the brown paper bags!”

Defining year

Fast forward to 1973, a defining year for Kloss: Arthur Ashe visited South Africa; she was in the room when the Women’s Tennis Association was founded; and it was the year King beat Bobby Riggs in the historic ‘Battle of the Sexes’.

“That shaped me. They closed the doors, and Billie said, ‘I’m not leaving until we either have an association or I’m done.’”

Kloss was with Linky Boshoff, her future 1976 US Open doubles partner.

“I looked at Linky, she looked at me, and we were like, if it’s good enough for Billie Jean, it’s got to be good enough for us. We’re in!”

Kloss’s role on the WTA board mattered.

“We wanted people to think it wasn’t only for Americans, that it was global. Because I was from Africa, I got put on the board, and it was an unbelievable education. That’s why I tell any young person: understand the business you’re in. If you understand the media, sponsor and tournament director’s role, then you understand why you get paid and what obligation you have to grow the sport.”

Renamed

The venue adds crucial colour to this story.

The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, a 46.5‑acre complex in Flushing Meadows, was renamed in King’s honour on 28 August 2006, the first major sports venue named after a woman, approved unanimously by the USTA board.

King, who grew up on public courts in Long Beach, called the honour humbling, noting that the venue is a public space open to everyone.

Her legacy sits alongside that of her friend Arthur Ashe, whose name crowns the main stadium.

Its naming wasn’t straightforward.

The USTA first proposed naming one of the three main stadiums after King.

Louis Armstrong Stadium stayed as is, agreed with Armstrong’s wife as a nod to its past life as a music venue.

The main stadium was named for Arthur Ashe in 1997.

So, the USTA offered the third option, the Grandstand court: “They talked about naming the Grandstand court for her, because Louis Armstrong Stadium had to remain Louis Armstrong.”

Turned down the offer

But King turned them down.

Kloss explains: “She said, I do not want a woman at the third court” (the other two bigger stadiums were named after men)”. 

King rejected the USTA’s offer, saying that she would rather have nothing. Her point reverberated. As a result, “they ended up naming the entire centre around her. So, you know what? Sometimes you have to be willing to give up something, to potentially get something”. 

The interview wraps up with a full‑circle moment.

Kloss is wearing something deeply symbolic. Her striking blue suede shoes are a new limited‑edition Adidas re‑release of the iconic pair King wore during 1973’s ‘Battle of the Sexes’.

Kloss highlights the details: “1973” on the left heel, the match’s set scores on the right heel, Billie Jean King’s signature in gold, and the number “39” stamped on the tongue, marking her total grand slam titles. The shoe was a long time coming: “Stan Smith has one, so how about a woman’s shoe?”

‘Incredibly innovative’

Looking ahead, Kloss is optimistic about the US Open’s new CEO, fellow South African Craig Tiley, as the figure to unlock more from the venue, it’s US Open fortnight.

“He’s incredibly innovative, and will push people to do better,” she said.

“I hope he can unlock some opportunity and access.”

For Kloss, the philosophy that built the WTA and that earned King her name on the gates is the same one she carries home: “You can’t just say it, you have to be it.”

Amisha Savani is reporting exclusively for The South African from the 2026 US Open in Flushing Meadows, New York