40 years of Women's Tennis Association

Former and current world number ones (left to right, back) Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario, Margaret Court, Evonne Goolagong-Cawley, Ana Ivanovic, Lindsay Davenport, Dinara Safina, Jelena Jankovic, Jennifer Capriati, Caroline Wozniacki and Amelie Mauresmo (left to right, front) Tracey Austin, Martina Hingis, Monica Seles, Maria Sharapova, Billie Jean King, Serena Williams, Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova and Justine Henin

Billie Jean King (centre) and Serena Williams laugh as Maria Sharapova speaks at the Women's Tennis Association event during the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club

 Maria Sharapova, Billie Jean King and Serena Williams on stage during the WTA 40 Love Celebration

Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams joined at Wimbledon in south-west London with other female stars from throughout the history of tennis to celebrate 40 years of the Women's Tennis Association.They were at the event for the WTA, founded in 1973 by King - who won 12 grand slam singles titles - to campaign for rights and pay for female players equal to that of their male counterparts.In the years leading up to its formation, prize money for men's tennis outstripped women's by up to 12 times - but the WTA broke those barriers to give women more prize and sponsorship money.

 

Chairman and CEO of the Women's Tennis Association Stacey Allaster speaks at the WTA 40 Love Celebration

 

Serena Williams, Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova and Justine Henin laugh on stage during the WTA 40 Love celebrations

 

 

Jennifer Capriati, Caroline Wozniacki and Amelie Mauresmo laugh at the WTA 40 Love Celebration

 

Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova laugh on stage during the WTA 40 Love Celebration