The main thing is not a matter of wanting to win; the main thing is being scared to lose.
BILLIE JEAN KINGMen can have a huge turnover of sponsorship and still survive a lot better than the women. But the women’s ratings are better, at least at home in the United States than in the men’s tennis.
More Billie Jean King Quotes
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I have a lot to say, and if I’m not No. 1, I can’t say it.
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When they take surveys of women in business, of the Fortune 500, the successful women, 80% of them, say they were in sports as a young woman.
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The trouble with being number one in the world – in anything- is that it takes a certain mentality to attain that position, and that is something of a driving, perfectionist attitude, so that once you do achieve number one, you don’t relax and enjoy it.
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At 62 you want to keep moving; that’s important.
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You just know where to put the ball. You just feel it. It has been computed into your brain so many times it is there.
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I like to see what future generations are thinking about.
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Natural talent only determines the limits of your athletic potential. It’s dedication and a willingness to discipline your life that makes you great.
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Victory is fleeting. Losing is forever.
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When I was outed, it was like, That’s done.
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You have got to want to be the best before you can even begin to reach for that goal, and you have got to be prepared to sacrifice a lot to get there.
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I always listen, I ask children, I even ask adults in tennis, “What are your children playing?” And most of the time it’s not tennis. It’s pathetic.
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When we reach the point where the women athletes are getting their pick of dates just as easily as the men athletes, then we’ve really and truly arrived. Parity at last!
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In 1973, a woman could not get a credit card without her husband or father or a male signing off on it.
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Ladies, here’s a hint. If you’re up against a girl with big boobs, bring her to the net and make her hit backhand volleys. That’s the hardest shot for the well-endowed.
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I knew after my first lesson what I wanted to do with my life.
BILLIE JEAN KING