On Sunday, Nov. 17, two bona fide legends will converge on Orlando for the first time since 1997. Billie Jean King and Sir Elton John are co-hosts of Mylan World Team Tennis Smash Hits, an all-star charity featuring tennis stars Venus Williams, Andy Roddick, Marion Bartoli, John Isner and more. The event, at beautiful HP Field House at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World, benefits the Elton John AIDS Foundation and the Hope and Help Center of Central Florida. Smash Hits fundraisers have raised more than $11.5 million for HIV/AIDS charities around the nation.
I spoke with King prior to the 1997 Smash Hits event and found her warm, witty and accessible. We spoke again by telephone earlier this month and picked up right where we left off 16 years ago. As you’ll see below, it was much more a conversation than an interview; I left out all the parts where she asked about my family, the newspaper, my life. It was easy to forget that she is an icon, named one of the 100 Most Important People of the 20th Century by Life Magazine.
For the better part of two decades, King was synonymous with women’s professional sports. As her tennis fortunes rose, so did those of her sister athletes. Few feminists have been more significant, and no one in our country’s history has done more to elevate women’s athletics.
Particularly in the ’70s, it seemed King was everywhere. Her visage was as ubiquitous as that of Elizabeth Taylor or Richard Nixon or, well, her buddy Elton John. For many she was an acquired taste, because she was like nothing seen before: an unabashedly competitive, highly charismatic female athlete who charged every shot and played to win. She wasn’t afraid to grunt and groan, and she insisted, willed, that the TV cameras be pointed at her (instead of all those men) while she did it. She put on a show.
In 1967, King won Wimbledon’s triple crown, taking the women’s singles, doubles and mixed doubles titles. For the next decade or so she reigned as the Queen of Women’s Tennis. Eventually she accumulated a record 20 Wimbledon titles and 39 grand slam victories. Her 1973 “Battle of the Sexes” with Bobby Riggs riveted the world and still holds the record for the most people ever to watch a tennis match.
But more importantly, King translated her accomplishments into important and lasting achievements off the tennis court. She led the effort to establish the first women’s professional tennis league, bringing women’s prize money in line with the men. And she was the most vocal and visible advocate for Title IX, the groundbreaking legislation that established college athletic scholarships for women.
In 1981, King’s world was turned upside down when a former lover attempted to extort money from her by taking their affair public. With husband Larry by her side, King acknowledged the affair. She has since become an outspoken advocate for LGBT equality. In 2009, President Barack Obama presented her with the Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor.
King shares her life with her partner of almost 30 ears, Ilana Kloss, who helps run World Team Tennis. They share homes in New York and Chicago.
WATERMARK: The last time we talked you were a kid… just 53. You turn 70 next month. How do you feel?
BILLIE JEAN KING: Great. I wish I was thinner, but great. I’ve always had to deal with my weight because I eat too much. But I don’t get my knickers in a twist over it.
I’m 58. What should I expect in my 60s; physically, mentally, spiritually?
It depends on the person and the journey they’re creating for themselves, but I’ll try and break it down for you based on my experience. Physically, it definitely becomes more important to work out. I’m overweight, but I’m also fit. And all the studies say that it’s better to be fat and fit than skinny and out of shape. Don’t get me wrong. I’d like to be lighter. It would help my joints and my heart, the things that matter to live a long time and continue to have a great quality of life.
Emotionally, that’s where I’m in a much better place. Psychotherapy, good friends, a wonderful relationship, they’ve all played a big role in that. Relationships are everything. It’s so important to keep those strong and meaningful. That feeling of connectedness is so important. Maybe that’s too girly…
What do you mean?
You have to be able to identify what you want and need from life. I don’t know about boys, but I think that’s always been difficult for girls. And I think it may also be difficult for those of us who are gay, especially people in my age group. Most of us hid, it wasn’t fun. When we stopped hiding and stopped being scared, we had to learn how to ask for what we want and need.
That should be part of our activism.
We are the civil rights movement of the 21st century… I love it! It’s amazing what’s happened in the last several years and how things have accelerated. I think we’re finally at a tipping point in this country. You talk to young people and they’re like, “What’s the big deal?”
I have three teenage nieces who live in conservative central North Carolina. They all have openly gay friends.
But that’s also why it’s important that they understand history. History is not just the past. It explains change.
It’s also important to continue to fight until we finish, until we have full equal rights and eliminate all the homophobia that’s still out there. But finally it feels good. It feels like we’re on our way.
President Obama has made a huge difference, because he just gets up there and talks about it. He doesn’t putz around, inferring this or that. He just meets it head on, like in his inauguration speech, where he included us so unequivocally. Didn’t that feel great?
What was it like receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom from him in 2009?
You know what was really great? Getting the Medal of Freedom the same day it was awarded posthumously to Harvey Milk. His gay nephew, Stuart, accepted the award on his behalf. Having the President acknowledge this LGBT icon, heck, just having the president say “LGBT,” it was great.
Stuart’s amazing. We’ve become friends. He took me to the White House with him for Gay Pride last June.
I want to go! I’m always at Wimbledon during Gay Pride.
I’ll trade places with you next year.
I’ve been asked to be in so many Pride Parades and I’d love to, but I’m always in England.
The PBS American Masters series just broadcast a wonderful documentary about your life. (View it at www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters.) I learned some things about you, and it reminded me just how amazing and groundbreaking your life has been. What did you think of it?
I think they did a good job. When I was young my dad never let me read my press clippings, and I remain uncomfortable with that kind of thing to this day. So I only watched it once. But I tried not to shut down on it.
I guess I have had a very interesting life. It’s so weird, especially to look at yourself when you were young. I look at that face, without any wrinkles and that fit body, and then look in the mirror.
You had incredible legs, girl.
Well, they were strong. People used to comment more on my arms, and that was before I started lifting weights. Back in those days I couldn’t get anyone to help me with that. Can you believe that?
They used Aretha Franklin’s “Freedom” as the introducing song. I expected “I Am Woman” by Helen Reddy or something more blatantly feminist. But the more I thought about it, “Freedom” was perfect.
Aretha is one of my all time favorite singers, but there’s more to it than that. The documentary was created by an English production company. PBS bought it and made some changes for American audiences. I think they figured it was appropriate because Elton wrote “Philadelphia Freedom” for me and I received the Medal of Freedom, there are a lot of connections to the word “freedom.”
When you boil it down, your story, your struggles, are ultimately about freedom.
Well, that’s true for all of us, Tom. Yes, freedom, of choice, to make our own decisions, to govern our own lives. For a lot of people, and for lots of reasons, that hasn’t always been the case. There’s still work to do.
In the film you said, “You have to have fire in the belly, every day. That’s what makes a champion.” And in that respect, the contrast between you and your predecessors like Virginia Wade and Margaret Court was striking. Who were your role models, and were they mostly men?
Men and women. As a youngster I kept a scrapbook of all the great ones. You won’t even remember their names. Alice Marble was a Wimbledon champion who also won mixed doubles with Bobby Riggs in 1959. And I loved Althea Gibson, Tony Trabert, Ken Rosewall, I can go on and on. I loved them all.
And then there were the women who came right before me, the women I had to beat if I was going to take over. Every generation goes through that. Chris Evert and Martina took the baton from my generation. But the one from the generation before me that I related to most was Maria Bueno. She was the first South American woman to achieve anything in tennis. People in Brazil still talk about her with reverence.
I don’t want to diminish the impact of women as role models because so many women only talk about the guys. I ask the young female players if they want people to talk about them, and they always say, “Yes.” So I ask them why I only hear them talking about the guys. And they say, “Oh yeah, right. Why do I do that?” It’s the way society works. It makes me crazy.
I like to talk about both men and women because I think every single person is an influencer. Men should influence women, and women should influence men. But that’s not how it works. When a guy acts or speaks, he influences both men and women. But when a woman does something, the world tells her that it only influences other women. I cannot tell you how that irritates me. I don’t say and do things just for women. I want to influence everyone.
Have you always felt that way?
I started playing tennis when I was 12 years old, and one of the first things I noticed was that only some kids had access to the sport. I decided then and there that I would fight for equal rights and opportunity for men and women.
You started playing tennis on public courts, and with public instruction?
Yes… and those kinds of thing are in decline. It’s really affecting the health of our nation. Public and school programs keep kids active, and that keeps obesity rates down, and that keeps health care costs down. People don’t consider how scrapping these programs to save money effects the overall health budget.
Despite its reputation, people also forget that 70% of tennis is played in public parks.
I live across the street from a public tennis center. I hang out there with my puppy, and I told some of the players that I would be speaking with you today. I wish you could’ve seen the way their faces lit up. They all wanted me to share how much they love and admire you. Many of the women played tennis in high school and college. They understand how much you changed things.
That’s great. That means a lot to me. I’m very lucky.
Your dad warned you that there would be lots of heartbreak if you chose to make a career out of tennis.
At the time I was number two in Long Beach, California, behind my friend Susan Williams. We sat next to each other back in 5th grade, and when she asked me if I wanted to play tennis I said, “What’s tennis?” She said, “You get to run, jump and hit a ball,” and I said, “Oh my god, those are my three favorite things.”
If Susan hadn’t asked me to play tennis my life would have been completely different. My family was athletic, but no one played tennis. It just shows that you never know how someone is going to affect your life.
Early on I had my sights set on being number one, and I mean in the world. So my dad tried to explain to me that it wouldn’t be easy. He said when you start competing throughout Southern California it’s going to get a lot tougher. And then to go up each level you’ll have to be that much better.
Dad was brilliant in that way. He was preparing me. He wanted me to think it through. And he was right on the money. But once I convinced him I was serious he said, “Go for it.” He wanted me to be happy. I said, “Dad, I’m on it.” I thought it was great, and so sweet.
What about your mom?
She was great, too, but in a different way. I didn’t think [American Masters] gave her enough credit. But I also think same-gender relationships within families are more complex.
Mom was the balancing influence at home. My dad was a jock, and my brother, Randy, ended up being a major league baseball player. The three of us were sports crazy. Mom loved sports, too, but not to the exclusion of all else, and thank god. If she’d been like us our family would’ve been totally out of whack. Sometimes I thought she was a little bit of a kill-joy, but when I look back I see that she was fantastic at keeping our emotional balance.
They were both great looking.
They were gorgeous. And they had three dollars when they got married. Larry and I only had three hundred when we got married, not that different.
American Masters showed how fans turned on you after you won your first Wimbledon in 1966. They showed a clip of one British woman saying, “She doesn’t like losing, does she?”, as though that kind of competitive spirit is unattractive in a woman.
[Laughs] I wish I could’ve won every tournament. But you’re right, they loved me when I first started playing. I was bubbly, I was fun, I was going to college and I wasn’t playing full time. And then I got sick of losing. I quit college, and got more focused. Larry and I discussed it at length. He said, “If you want to be number one, you’ve got to get going. Let’s go.” Larry was always supportive, always wanted me to play. I’m not sure that came through in the documentary.
I ended up both liking and admiring him. He supported you every step of the way, and didn’t seem affected by the predictable macho bullshit criticism that he was “Mr. Billie Jean King.” And when your affair with Marilyn Barnett came out in 1973, he never blinked. He said he still loved you and wanted to be with you.
He always loved me. He never, ever wanted a divorce. I first approached him about a divorce in 1969. He didn’t understand, and I kept going back and forth because I loved him so much. We had great years.
He’s a lovable guy.
Well, he’s not that lovable some times. [Laughs.] But you’re right, he’s a wonderful man.
When you first talked about divorce, did you try to explain what you were feeling?
I really wasn’t sure what I was feeling back then. I was trying to figure myself out, and also homophobic. So I was stuck… emotionally paralyzed. And I was also in the thick of trying to change things in women’s tennis and women’s sports. I really didn’t have one second of time to reflect on what I was feeling. When you’re older and looking back, it’s easy to see your journey. But it would be hard to describe just how hectic my life was back then. Everything was happening all at once. It was so tumultuous.
I feel really lucky. I wish I could’ve talked to Larry better, but at the time I just couldn’t go there. It was complicated. I felt really bad, like I betrayed him. But I did share with him that I thought we should divorce.
I hope you forgive yourself for that.
I have, slowly but surely. But I never want to hurt people that I love, or anybody for that matter. The very last thing I want is to ever hurt anybody.
They were different times. I’m not sure people in their twenties and thirties really comprehend just how negative it was be thought of as gay or lesbian back in the 60s and 70s.
You’re right, kids don’t understand that. How old were you when you realized you were gay, Tom?
I remember being in high school and thinking, “‘These attractions are pretty powerful’ and they’re not going away.” And I remember thinking I darn sure better keep it to myself.
Were your parents homophobic?
No more than other people in their generation. They came around, just like I did.
When did you come out to them?
[Tells coming out story.] On American Masters you said that one of the things that kept you from coming out was the same fear that I had; that our parents and our families would reject us. And you were dealing with all that as one of the highest profile athletes on the planet! You weren’t out, but you knew how you felt when the world was riveted by “The Battle of the Sexes,”your groundbreaking match with Bobby Riggs. What was it like being closeted while that was going on?
It was difficult. [Laughs.] Horrible, actually. You always want to enjoy the moment, and I had many great ones. But I don’t think I ever allowed myself that. I was always the kind of kid that just strives, never good enough. But that’s what makes me go, what drives me to be good enough to win. It’s hard to explain.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m great at relaxing, too. When I let go, I can really let go. I love to go on a cruise and do nothing but eat, work out and read. I love to read.
Finding time to relax is a challenge for Ilana and me. We’ve got work, and we do lots of charitable stuff that’s important to us. Between the two of us, we just don’t stop. And we’re both dealing with our mothers now, too. I have to look in on Llana’s mother later today. My mother lives in Arizona so I’ll be traveling there soon. As you get older the pressures shift, but they’re still there.
On American Masters you said that you would never out anyone because you weren’t ready when you were outed by your former lover. If not for that, when do you think you might have been ready to come out? I can’t imagine it ever would have been easy for you. I know the outing was painful for you, but are you grateful that it happened on any level?
I have no idea when I might have come out, Tom. And I agree with you, it was something with two sides. In a way it was a blessing because it accelerated the process for me.
I’m sure it didn’t feel like a blessing back then.
No, it didn’t. And Larry still didn’t want me to leave, even after all that. He dug his heels in for us to stay together.
I hope I would have had the courage to eventually come out, and I hope it would have been sooner rather than later. But back then one of the biggest factors was that I had to make a living. And I didn’t want to hurt women’s professional tennis, we were only in our third year. A lot of people wanted us to go away, and I didn’t want to give anyone an excuse. I also wanted to make sure that Title IX continued to be strengthened. There were a lot of people involved. It wasn’t as cut-and-dried as just me working up the courage to come out. I think people forget that.
I still talk to people who live in small towns who tell me, “If I come out I’m going to lose my job.” I tell them that they’ll know when they’re ready, and that they should do what they have to do to take care. Each person has their own journey.
And it was 1981, way before Ellen and Will & Grace. Coming out was still a precarious thing, not that it’s ever easy.
It was still very difficult in the 80s and 90s. It’s really only been in the last decade or so that there’s been this sort of widespread acceptance.
It’s still difficult for lots of people, but being gay doesn’t carry the same baggage it did.
Which is great! That’s exactly what we’re working for and what we want to happen! It’ll be great when people can just sort of acknowledge it and move on.
I know people in their 70s and 80s who to this day won’t come out or introduce their partners. They act as though nothing has changed. The homophobia is all internal.
I have friends who lower their voices in restaurants when they start talking about gay stuff. I don’t think they even realize they do it.
[Laughs] That shows how deeply ingrained it is. I catch myself sometimes. Don’t you?
I think the homophobia we grew up with is something we’ll have to deal with for the rest of our lives.
Me too. I just don’t want to keep passing it down.
One of the guys at the tennis center believes that women shouldn’t be paid the same as men because they only play three sets. Can I give him a response from Billie Jean King?
Oh everybody says that. People don’t understand. Firstly, no one wants us to play five sets, it’s just too much programming. Secondly, you don’t get paid based on how long you play. in sports or in entertainment. Whether Elton plays a one hour concert or a three hour concert, he gets the same amount of money. And thirdly, what should change is that the men should start playing three sets. We’re wearing out our top players. Five set matches today are not like five set matches back when I played. It’s so much more traumatic on the body. I saw Djokovic play Nadal at the Australian Open. Afterward, I swear to god they were so spent they could barely move. You only have so many miles in your legs. I don’t want them retiring when they’re 30. I love them, and I want to see them play as long as possible.
I don’t think we need more. I think we need less. We need quality. That’s my philosophy of life.
But Tom, tell him women would be very happy to play five sets. We have more body fat than men. When you get into endurance, women do better. Nobody wants us to play five sets. It’s too long!
A group of us were watching one of the men’s finals this year. We left the television on, went out and about in the city, ran some errands, went to a restaurant for dinner, and when we came back the match was still on! Not good.
Any goals for the next chapter of your life?
I think I’ve got one big thing left, something in the field of leadership. Women need it, but I would include a lot more men in the endeavor, too. We’ve got to get more women involved in leadership. It’s been demonstrated that if you don’t get them involved early they won’t contribute or prosper at that level.
Women are mothers for goodness sake, what better training for leadership is there? And I’ve got to tell you, I love all the gay couples having children. These are among happiest and most loved and adored kids on the planet. What really cracks me up is that when two women have kids, they almost always seem to be boys. So cute.
You’re an advocate of raising everyone up and ensuring that people have equal opportunity. At the same time, you believe in personal responsibility. If you could reconcile the two for our politicians, things might go a lot smoother in Washington.
The problem is that some people never get the opportunity to learn about personal responsibility. For instance, children of drug addicts who never receive adequate parenting are at a serious disadvantage. Not everyone can be born into the same environment, but we ought to work to eliminate the crippling disadvantages. Where do you learn personal responsibility? I learned it in my home, but if that’s not going to happen we have to try and teach it in other places and by other means. We have to teach them to believe in themselves.
Smash Hits is coming to Disney on Sunday, Nov. 17, with Venus Williams and Andy Roddick headlining. Will you and Elton hit with them?
Elton will for sure. He always plays four games before the feature match. After that he can relax, because he wants to play well in front of everyone. He’s got a good forehand, and he loves tennis so much. He knows what all the tennis players are doing better than I do. He’s an amazing guy. I love him to death.
More Information
What: Mylan WTT Smash Hits, an all-star charity event hosted by Sir Elton John and Billie Jean King, and featuring Venus Williams and Andy Roddick.
Where: HP Field House at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World.
When: 6 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 17
Tickets:Â $50-$125 at WTTSSmashHits.com or ticketmaster.com. Tickets to a pre-match VIP Reception and Auction are $500 at 407-574-2599.
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