I thought it would set us back 50 years if I didn't win that match. It would ruin the women's tour and affect all women's self esteem.

Quote by Billie Jean King

Topics: Women Quotes

Tennis is a perfect combination of violent action taking place in an atmosphere of total...

Tennis is a perfect combination of violent action taking place in an atmosphere of total...

In 1973, a woman could not get a credit card without her husband or father...

In 1973, a woman could not get a credit card without her husband or father...

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

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

I will tell you King's First Law of Recognition: You never get it when you...

I will tell you King's First Law of Recognition: You never get it when you...

In the seventies we had to make it acceptable for people to accept girls and...

In the seventies we had to make it acceptable for people to accept girls and...

Any therapist will tell you that when you're ready, you will come out. To be...

Any therapist will tell you that when you're ready, you will come out. To be...

Victory is fleeting. Losing is forever.

Victory is fleeting. Losing is forever.

The main thing is to care. Care very hard, even if it is only a...

The main thing is to care. Care very hard, even if it is only a...

If your partner wants to be private, you have to respect that.

If your partner wants to be private, you have to respect that.

Martina and I went through a very bad five years. Everything's very good between us...

Martina and I went through a very bad five years. Everything's very good between us...

I wanted to use sports for social change.

I wanted to use sports for social change.

Sports are a microcosm of society.

Sports are a microcosm of society.

That is where the power, opportunity, and choice come from-when you have money. Money equals...

That is where the power, opportunity, and choice come from-when you have money. Money equals...

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

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

Champions keep playing until they get it right.

Champions keep playing until they get it right.

When they take surveys of women in business, of the Fortune 500, the successful women,...

When they take surveys of women in business, of the Fortune 500, the successful women,...

I think younger players probably just think they are who they are-they don't think about...

I think younger players probably just think they are who they are-they don't think about...

I like entrepreneurial people; I like people who take risks.

I like entrepreneurial people; I like people who take risks.

I always wanted to help make tennis a team sport.

I always wanted to help make tennis a team sport.

A girl didn't get an athletic scholarship until the fall of 1972 for the very...

A girl didn't get an athletic scholarship until the fall of 1972 for the very...