Billie Jean King
Billie Jean King
Billie Jean Kingis an American former World No. 1 professional tennis player. King won 39 Grand Slam titles, including 12 singles, 16 women's doubles, and 11 mixed doubles titles. King won the singles title at the inaugural WTA Tour Championships. King often represented the United States in the Federation Cup and the Wightman Cup. She was a member of the victorious United States team in seven Federation Cups and nine Wightman Cups. For three years, King was the United States'...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionTennis Player
Date of Birth22 November 1943
CityLong Beach, CA
CountryUnited States of America
When I was outed, it was like, That's done.
Our love one's are never gone, they have just popped into another room.
Everyone has people in their lives that are gay, lesbian or transgender or bisexual. They may not want to admit it, but I guarantee they know somebody.
The old boy network is still very strong and very true. Just look at the stock exchange and how many men and women are there. It is still very much run by men.
Each point I play is in the now moment. The last point means nothing, the next point means nothing.
Champions take responsibility. When the ball is coming over the net, you can be sure I want the ball.
I was always in the tennis business-from 1968. I was in tournaments and also on World Team Tennis teams as well.
I like putting money back into what made my life, and tennis has been great to me.
I will tell you King's First Law of Recognition: You never get it when you want it, and then when it comes, you get too much.
I knew after my first lesson what I wanted to do with my life.
I used to be told if I talked about my sexuality in any way that we wouldn't have a tennis tour.
If your partner wants to be private, you have to respect that.
In 1973, women got 59 cents on the dollar; now we are getting 74 cents on the dollar. In the area of finance and business, we are at 68 cents on the dollar.
It's really impossible for athletes to grow up. On the one hand, you're still a child, still playing a game. But on the other hand, you're a superhuman hero that everyone dreams of being. No wonder we have such a hard time understanding who we are.