Bobby Riggs was one of my heroes. I admired him. That’s one of the reasons I beat him – because I respected him.
BILLIE JEAN KINGI was always in the tennis business-from 1968. I was in tournaments and also on World Team Tennis teams as well.
More Billie Jean King Quotes
-
-
When I’m performing at my absolute best, I think that some of the euphoria I feel must be transmitted to the audience.
BILLIE JEAN KING -
Women’s sports is still in its infancy. The beginning of women’s sports in the United States started in 1972, with the passage of Title 9 for girls to finally get athletic scholarships.
BILLIE JEAN KING -
A champion is afraid of losing. Everyone else is afraid of winning.
BILLIE JEAN KING -
Don’t worry about what people say.
BILLIE JEAN KING -
A girl didn’t get an athletic scholarship until the fall of 1972 for the very first time.
BILLIE JEAN KING -
It’s about learning your craft. That’s a wonderful thing–especially with today’s consumerism and instant gratification.
BILLIE JEAN KING -
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.
BILLIE JEAN KING -
At 62 you want to keep moving; that’s important.
BILLIE JEAN KING -
I would have them do their skill drills as a team and their fun drills together as a team, then they have to have a match at the end of every week. They can’t just have what they call a lesson today every week.
BILLIE JEAN KING -
Tennis is a perfect combination of violent action taking place in an atmosphere of total tranquillity.
BILLIE JEAN KING -
I didn’t really care if I had a coach that much, me personally, because I was brought up to think for myself.
BILLIE JEAN KING -
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.
BILLIE JEAN KING -
Pressure is a privilege … it’s what you do with it that matters.
BILLIE JEAN KING -
I have a lot to say, and if I’m not No. 1, I can’t say it.
BILLIE JEAN KING -
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.
BILLIE JEAN KING