When a child signs up for tennis, he or she is put on a team. I put them in a circle and then I make sure they name their own team.
BILLIE JEAN KINGWhen you oppress people either by gender, by race, by sexual orientation, when you do that and the doors become ajar, they will fly open and they will come and they have.
More Billie Jean King Quotes
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Don’t worry about what people say.
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I feel that tennis is an art form that is capable of moving the players and the audience – at least a knowledgeable audience-in almost sensual ways.
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In the complete overall history of tennis, I figure I’ll be worth a sentence or two….
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Men 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.
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Champions take responsibility.
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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.
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We have, or have had women presidents or prime ministers in Liberia, Chile, Germany, Great Britain…and yet the US of A still hasn’t had a women president. It’s just beyond my thinking. Look at Congress.
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I think one of the concerns, anytime you’re in the human business, like sports, it’s a very high – risk endeavor.
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Champions keep playing until they get it right.
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I always respect right off the bat because we are human, but then over time you learn who the person truly is, just like they learn about you.
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Sports are a microcosm of society.
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I would love to be a player today. I had the right personality for it.
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I knew after my first lesson what I wanted to do with my life.
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Being Number One isn’t everything to me, but for those few hours on the court it’s way ahead of whatever’s in second place.
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Champions adjust and pressure is a privilege.
BILLIE JEAN KING