Explore Quotes by Billie Jean King

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.

It is very hard to be a female leader. While it is assumed that any man, no matter how tough, has a soft side... and female leader is assumed to be one-dimensional.

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. When I'm performing at my absolute best, I think that some of the euphoria I feel must be transmitted to the audience.

Ever since that day when I was 11 years old, and I wasn't allowed in a photo because I wasn't wearing a tennis skirt, I knew that I wanted to change the sport.

Victory is fleeting. Losing is forever.

Champions adjust and pressure is a privilege.

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.

Pressure is a privilege - it only comes to those who earn it.

Tennis taught me so many lessons in life. One of the things it taught me is that every ball that comes to me, I have to make a decision. I have to accept responsibility for the consequences every time I hit a ball.

Love, light & blessings be On this day I wish to say 'Health & Happiness to come your way' Happy Birthday

It's your birthday today, so what would you say, if we turned that frown upside down

Create your legacy, and pass the baton.

Tennis is a game of angles. You never have time to figure the angles. It's practiced. It's so practiced that it becomes an instinct. 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.

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.

No matter how tough, no matter what kind of outside pressure, no matter how many bad breaks along the way, I must keep my sights on the final goal, to win, win, win-and with more love and passion than the world has ever witnessed in any performance.

Champions take responsibility. When the ball is coming over the net, you can be sure I want the ball.

For me, losing a tennis match isn't failure, it's research.

Don't be afraid to hit the ball.

Natural talent only determines the limits of your athletic potential. It's dedication and a willingness to discipline your life that makes you great.