A Selection of photos taken by Pavel Kricka

On June 21, 2023, the WTA celebrated the 50th anniversary of its historic founding meeting at London’s Gloucester Hotel, where Billie Jean King and nearly 60 pioneering women united to formally establish the Women’s Tennis Association. The Elena Baltacha Foundation female players, together with Chairman Nino Severino, were invited to take part in this special occasion.

Amid a busy programme, Nino was introduced to one of the original WTA founding members, Penny Moor. That meeting proved pivotal, as Penny later joined the Foundation’s Board of Trustees and became an integral member of its tennis roadshow delivery team. 

The anniversary event honoured a day in 1973 that began as a small gathering just before Wimbledon but ultimately transformed women’s professional tennis. Legends returned to Gloucester to reflect on five decades of progress, while Billie Jean King reminded attendees of the importance of unity in achieving lasting change.

Penny recalled her journey: “After Billie Jean King and the Original 9 formed, I joined the Virginia Slims Circuit, which later became the WTA Tour. Virginia Slims brought innovative marketing, including designer dresses by the iconic Ted Tinling. He created dresses for all the top players, including the one Billie Jean wore in the ‘Battle of the Sexes’ at the Houston Astrodome. I had both day and evening dresses designed for me, and it was so emotional to see them displayed on stage at the 50th Anniversary celebrations, with our Foundation girls standing proudly beside them. To gather once again, in the very room where we formed the WTA, was incredibly moving. I feel so proud of what we achieved.”

Nino added: “As one of the WTA’s nominated charities, The Elena Baltacha Foundation is delighted Penny has joined our Board of Trustees. From the very beginning, she has shown the same fighting spirit she displayed in 1973, and she continues to bring that energy to delivering tennis in schools across Suffolk and London.”