55+ Inspirational Billie Jean King Quotes About Success

Georgia Stone
Dec 12, 2023 By Georgia Stone
Originally Published on Feb 02, 2021
Edited by Jacob Fitzbright
Tennis legend Billie Jean King waves to the crowd as Grand Marshall of the New York City Pride Parade.

With a net worth of $20 million, Billie Jean King continues to personify success, rejecting all gender and social barriers.

These Billie Jean King quotes are a torchbearer for those who wish to break the shackles of social stigmas and venture out on the path of success. These Billie Jean quotes will serve as texts for those who wish to learn sporting conduct, spirit and self-awareness.

In the 1973 'Battle of The Sexes', held at the Houston Astrodome between 55-year-old Bobby Riggs and 29-year-old Billie Jean King, Billie Jean King won in three sets, thereby making a grand mark in the pages of the history of tennis.

This colossal win and its journey were later made into the 2017 film by the same name wherein Emma Stone played the role of Billie Jean King.

Though Billie Jean King has officially retired from competitive matches, she continues to coach students and was an active coach at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Her career prize money totals $1,966,487 to date.

Billie Jean King and her tale of success is an inspiration for all tennis players. The zest for achievement, the immense hard work, the endeavor and pursuit for success, and her self-awareness is what makes Billie Jean King the genius that she is.

Scroll down for some of the best Billie Jean King quotes.

If you love these Billie Jean King quotes and are looking for more quotes, then check out tennis quotes and Serena Williams quotes.

Most Amazing Billie Jean King Quotes

These Billie Jean King tennis quotes and toher Billie Jean King quotes stand for honesty, ability and fair-play. King had many remarkable achievements that are very well reflected in her words.

1. "Champions keep playing until they get it right."

- Billie Jean King.

2. “Face your fears; live your passions, be dedicated to your truth.”

- Billie Jean King.

3. “No one changes the world who isn’t obsessed.”

- Billie Jean King.

4. "Sometimes you have to be satisfied. You try hard enough. Don’t be so self-critical; don’t be so hard on yourself."

- Billie Jean King.

5. "Champions take responsibility."

- Billie Jean King.

6. “A champion is afraid of losing. Everyone else is afraid of winning."

- Billie Jean King.

7. “I think self-awareness is probably the most important thing towards being a champion.”

- Billie Jean King.

8. “That is where the power, opportunity, and choice come from when you have money. Money equals opportunity. There is no question.”

- Billie Jean King.

9. "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."

- Billie Jean King.

10. "Women get the attention when we get into the men’s arena, and that’s sad."

- Billie Jean King.

11. "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.

12. “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.

13. "As a tennis player, it 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."

- Billie Jean King.

14. "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.

Billie Jean King Quotes That Are A Mirror To Society

Read the following Billie Jean King quotes with patience for they might turn out to be eye-opener for you. Which is your favorite Billie Jean King quote?

15. "It's fun to meet people from throughout the world who you don't have to explain yourself to."

- Billie Jean King.

16. "When we reach the point where the women athletes are getting their pick of dates just as easily as the men athletes, then we've really and truly arrived."

- Billie Jean King.

17. “It’s fun to meet people from throughout the world who you don’t have to explain yourself to."

- Billie Jean King.

18. “Be bold. If you are going to make an error, make a doozy, and don’t be afraid to hit the ball."

- Billie Jean King.

19. “I have a lot to say, and if I’m not No.1, I can’t say it."

- Billie Jean King.

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

- Billie Jean King.

21. “Parity at last!"

- Billie Jean King.

22. “This is the century of women.”

- Billie Jean King.

23. “Don’t let anyone define you. You define yourself.”

- Billie Jean King.

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

- Billie Jean King.

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

- Billie Jean King.

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

- Billie Jean King.

27. "They're not put on earth to be martyrs; they have to want to come out. It depends on your culture, where you work, where you live. Each person's circumstances are unique."

- Billie Jean King.

28. “I love to promote our sport. I love grass-roots tennis. I love coaching. I love all parts of the sport. I love the business side.”

- Billie Jean King.

29. "I would love to be a player today. I had the right personality for it."

- Billie Jean King.

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

- Billie Jean King.

31. "I wanted to use sports for social change."

- Billie Jean King.

32. "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.

Billie Jean King Quotes That Are An Example Of Sporting Conduct

These Billie Jean King tennis quotes are a paradigm of what an athlete should stand for. Do these Billie Jean King quotes inspire you?

33. "I always wanted to help make tennis a team sport."

- Billie Jean King.

34. "Everyone has people in their lives that are gay, lesbian or transgender, or bisexual. They may not want to admit it, but I guarantee they know somebody."

- Billie Jean King.

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

- Billie Jean King.

36. "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."

- Billie Jean King.

37. "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.

38. “Tennis is a perfect combination of violent action taking place in an atmosphere of total tranquility.”

- Billie Jean King.

39. "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."

- Billie Jean King.

40. "Winning is very tangible, it's very exciting, it's very pleasing, but it's momentary. If you can do things that last, that each generation can build upon, then that's when you're cooking."

- Billie Jean King.

Billie Jean King Quotes That You Cannot Miss

These Billie Jean King quotes are a necessary read for every tennis player. Don't miss out on these Billie Jean King quotes!

41. "A champion is afraid of losing. Everyone else is afraid of winning."

- Billie Jean King.

42. "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."

- Billie Jean King.

43. "Don't be afraid to hit the ball."

- Billie Jean King.

44. "Pressure is a privilege ... it's what you do with it that matters."

- Billie Jean King.

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

- Billie Jean King.

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

- Billie Jean King.

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

- Billie Jean King.

Bobby Riggs Quotes About Billie Jean King

If you are loving these Billie Jean King quotes, these famous tennis player quotes will give you a clear picture of the tennis situation back in those days. Do you recognize any of these Billie Jean King quotes?

48. "I'm out to prove that a guy 55 years old, with one foot in the grave, can play with the best woman in the world and maybe beat her. It'll be a big boost for men's superiority."

- Bobby Riggs.

49. "People said I was tanking, but Billie Jean beat me fair and square.'

- Bobby Riggs.

50. "That's the trouble with the women's game. Those women think they're men, and they go off hitting all over the place. They'd be better off if they'd played like women."

- Bobby Riggs.

51. "I have to admit, I underestimated Billie Jean and overestimated myself."

- Bobby Riggs.

52. "Billie Jean King is one of the all-time tennis greats; she's one of the superstars. She's ready for the big one, but she doesn't stand a chance against me. Women's tennis is so far beneath men's tennis; that's what makes the contest with a 55-year-old man the greatest contest of all time."

- Bobby Riggs.

Battle Of The Sexes Movie Quotes

These quotes by King and Riggs are from the movie,'Battle of the Sexes', released in 2017, and starring Emma Stone as Billie Jean King. These Billie Jean King quotes from the movie are a must-read, for they encompass the professional tennis circuit at that time.

53. "Bobby Riggs: No offense. You're still a feminist, right?

Billie Jean King: No, I'm a tennis player who happens to be a woman."

- 'Battle Of The Sexes', 2017.

54. "I'm not saying women are better. I've never said that. I'm saying we deserve some respect."

- Emma Stone (Billie Jean King),'Battle Of The Sexes', 2017.

55. "Times change. You should know you just changed them. Someday we will be free to be who we are and love who we love. But now... It's time to join the dance."

- Alan Cumming (Cuthbert 'Ted' Tinling),'Battle Of The Sexes', 2017.

56. "Eureka, Billie Jean! It’s Bobby Riggs. I had a great idea. Male chauvinist pig versus hairy-legged feminist."

- Steve Carell (Bobby Riggs),'Battle Of The Sexes', 2017.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly quotes for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for Billie Jean King quotes then why not take a look at Roger Federer Quotes and [Nadal Quotes].

Main image credit: Christopher Penler / Shutterstock.com

Article image  Credits: Leonard Zhukovsky /Shutterstock

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Written by Georgia Stone

Bachelor of Arts specializing in French with Film Studies, Bachelor of Arts (Year Abroad) specializing in Literature, History, Language, Media, and Art

Georgia Stone picture

Georgia StoneBachelor of Arts specializing in French with Film Studies, Bachelor of Arts (Year Abroad) specializing in Literature, History, Language, Media, and Art

Georgia is an experienced Content Manager with a degree in French and Film Studies from King's College London and Bachelors degree from Université Paris-Sorbonne. Her passion for exploring the world and experiencing different cultures was sparked during her childhood in Switzerland and her year abroad in Paris. In her spare time, Georgia enjoys using London's excellent travel connections to explore further afield.

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