Tennis Great Billie Jean King at Boston Lobsters KIck-Off Party

Photo: Auctioneer Frank Kaminski and Billie Jean King

Tennis legend and World TeamTennis founder Billie Jean King on hand to kick off the Boston Lobsters tennis season at a kick-off party and charity auction in Beverly.

Kaminski Auctions and Tim Hopkins Catering teamed up to sponsor the Boston Lobsters 2015 KIck Off Party and Charity Auction on June 19 at the Kaminski Auctions gallery in Beverly, Mass.

King is an American former World No. 1 professional tennis player who won 39 Grand Slam titles. She is the the co-founder of Mylan World TeamTennis, the league of the Boston Lobsters and founder of the Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative.

A champion for social change and equality, King was named one of the “100 Most Important Americans of the 20th Century” by Life Magazine. In 2009, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Obama, the nation’s highest civilian honor.

The 2015 Boston Lobsters will be coached by Jan-Michael Gambill. The team will include 2011 French Open mixed doubles champion Scott Lipsky, and Spaniard, Arantxa Parra Santonja, along with a pair of young, up and coming Americans, 2012 NCAA doubles champion Chase Buchanan, and Irina Falconi, who recently made an inspired run to the 3rd round of the French Open. The most exciting addition, according to organizers, will be the 2014 Wimbledon finalist Eugenie Bouchard who will play the final three matches of the season, including a home match on July 27.

The Boston Lobsters: New England’s franchise of Mylan World TeamTennis. The Boston Lobsters brings each season top stars, fan-friendly, fast-paced fun and great tennis to its community. Mylan World TeamTennis is tennis like you’ve never seen it, featuring the biggest names in the world playing together in an innovative co-ed team format.

Celebrating its 40th season, the Pro League features world-class, competitive tennis and a great fan experience – it’s a little bit rock n’ roll in that its raucous, in your face, and a whole lot of fun, according to their Facebook page. Since its co-founding by Billie Jean King in 1974, WTT has been an innovator in the sports world.