Billie Jean King Quotes & Sayings (Page 2)

“In the seventies we had to make it acceptable for people to accept girls and women as athletes. We had to make it okay for them to be active. Those were much scarier times for females in sports.”

“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 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.”

“When they take surveys of women in business, of the Fortune 500, the successful women, 80% of them, say they were in sports as a young woman.”

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

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

“Any therapist will tell you that when you're ready, you will come out. To be outed means you weren't ready.”

“I always liked co-ed events best so we have two men and two women on each team.”

“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.”

“I think younger players probably just think they are who they are-they don't think about coming out. Unless you're number one in the world, nobody cares, usually.”