Billie Jean King

Don't let anyone define you. You define yourself.

— Billie Jean King

No one changes the world who isn't obsessed.

— Billie Jean King

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

— Billie Jean King

“Be bold if you are going to make an error make a doozy.”

— Billie Jean King

Every generation I think gets better usually [in tennis].

— Billie Jean King

I always wanted to help make tennis a team sport.

— Billie Jean King

Don't worry about what people say.

— Billie Jean King

Champions take responsibility.

— 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 knew after my first lesson what I wanted to do with my life.

— Billie Jean King

Women get the attention when we get into the men's arena, and that's sad.

— Billie Jean King

I would just never out anybody. I think everyone has to find it in their own way and their own time.

— Billie Jean King

I like putting money back into what made my life, and tennis has been great to me.

— Billie Jean King

I used to be told if I talked about my sexuality in any way that we wouldn't have a tennis tour.

— Billie Jean King

As far as U.S. tennis, we need new stars coming up in the pipeline, but I don't know if we have it.

— Billie Jean King

I try to perfect my strong points and make my weaknesses adequate.

— Billie Jean King

I have often been asked whether I am a women or an athlete. The question is absurd. Men are not asked that.…

— Billie Jean King

It's just really important that we start celebrating our differences. Let's start tolerating first, but then we need to celebrate our differences.

— Billie Jean King

There is no life for girls in team sports past Little League. I got into tennis when I realized this, and because…

— Billie Jean King

My whole life has been about equal rights and opportunities. For me it really goes back to the health of mind, body…

— Billie Jean King

You've got to win in sports - that's talent - but you've also got to learn how to remind everybody how you…

— Billie Jean King

Ladies, here's a hint. If you're up against a girl with big boobs, bring her to the net and make her hit…

— Billie Jean King

Tennis taught me so many lessons in life. One of the things it taught me is that every ball that comes to…

— Billie Jean King

Everyone has people in their lives that are gay, lesbian or transgender or bisexual. They may not want to admit it, but…

— Billie Jean King

In the complete overall history of tennis, I figure I'll be worth a sentence or two… That's why my place in the…

— Billie Jean King

It's really impossible for athletes to grow up. On the one hand, you're still a child, still playing a game. But on…

— Billie Jean King

I've never cared that much for cementing my place in history. Sports is so transitory, so ephemeral. It just seems like so…

— Billie Jean King

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

— Billie Jean King

No matter how tough, no matter what kind of outside pressure, no matter how many bad breaks along the way, I must…

— 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,…

— Billie Jean King

I always think it's best to pretend you're in a tenuous position. Just as a player, you always want to stay in…

— Billie Jean King

I hate being called a homosexual because I don't feel that way. It really upsets me ... Being gay can happen in…

— Billie Jean King

When I was outed, it was like, That's done.

— Billie Jean King

At 62 you want to keep moving; that's important.

— Billie Jean King

Create your legacy, and pass the baton.

— Billie Jean King

I wanted to use sports for social change.

— Billie Jean King

Champions keep playing until they get it right.

— Billie Jean King

I have a lot to say, and if I'm not No. 1, I can't say it.

— Billie Jean King

Sports are a microcosm of society.

— Billie Jean King

Winning comes down to who can execute under pressure.

— Billie Jean King