Except for five Federation Cup singles matches that she won in straight sets in August, King played only in doubles and mixed doubles events from January through September. She partnered Phil Dent to the mixed doubles title at the US Open. She lost to Dianne Fromholtz Balestrat in both of the singles tournaments she played the remainder of the year. Looking back, King said, "I wasted 1976. After watching Chris Evert and Evonne Cawley play the final at Wimbledon I asked myself what I was doing. So, despite my age and the operations, the Old Lady came back..." King had knee surgery for the third time on November 9, this time on her right knee, and did not play the remainder of the year.