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79-Year-Old Women’s Tennis Pioneer’s Powerful Words Slide Into Kaley Cuoco’s Latest Comedy Thriller as It Once Again Proves the Ever-Lasting Impact of Sports in Our Lives

Published 06/14/2023, 7:23 AM EDT

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It is said that your legacy should not be limited to your own field. The number of people inspired by you outside your field does factor in when we talk about legacy. Billie Jean King, one of America’s finest athletes, is an inspiration to many. Some even consider King to be the greatest American tennis player and her record speaks shows it. 39 major titles – 12 in singles, 16 in women’s doubles and 11 in mixed doubles put King above most of the legends and puts her on the same pedestal as the likes of Serena Williams.

King’s legacy goes beyond tennis, especially in America. Celebrities often quote her, showing how they hold her words in high regard. Recently one of her famous quotes was used in a TV show and the clip has started to do the rounds on social media.

Billie Jean King’s reference on a TV show

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The recently released American comedy thriller, ‘Based on a True Story‘, used Billie Jean King’s famous quote. In one of the clips of the show, actor Kaley Cuoco, known for playing the role of Penny in The Big Bang Theory, was seen quoting King. Cuoco said, “You remember what Billie Jean King said?…  Pressure is a privilege. We have never felt pressure before because we’ve never been in the game.

 

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It is always a moment of pride when famous women athletes are quoted by other celebrities. The renowned quote was said by Billie Jean King in a podcast appearance in 2021. While talking about playing the biggest matches of her career, King said, “I have this saying: pressure is a privilege. I came up at that one. As a child, my brother and I liked pressure, but I think it’s because my parents gave us time and space. They did not care if we were any good.”

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What Billie Jean King has done for women’s sports is immeasurable. She showed that the impact of sports in our lives is not just limited to the court, but also outside of it.

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What has Billie Jean King done for women’s rights?

Billie Jean King was one of the earliest advocates for women’s rights in tennis. The pay gap disparity in the mid-20th century was staggering. For instance, Ilie Nastase received $3,500 for winning the US Open in 1972 while Billie Jean King only received $600.

WOW! Unleashing the Truth behind Billie Jean King’s Breathtaking Achievement at Battle of Sexes

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King led the drive for equal pay for women and also established the Virginia Slims Tour. She founded the Women’s Tennis Association in 1973, popularly known as WTA now. She talks in depth about the barriers that existed in sports in her book ‘Billie Jean King: The Battle of the Sexes and Title IX‘. King discusses obstacles based on race, ethnicity, gender and background in the book.

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Written by:

Raghav Tikmany

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Raghav Tikmany is a tennis writer at EssentiallySports. After completing his under-graduation in Commerce, his passion for sports encouraged him to take up content writing in the field of sports journalism. He has prior experience in text commentary.
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Edited by:

Tony Thomas