Pressure is a privilege. It is a quote that has become synonymous with Billie Jean King, as one of tennis’ greatest and most historic players.
She transcended the sport, and it is only right that an utterance like this remains so prevalent today, over 30 years after the 80-year-old retired.
Players playing at the Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York must even pass by these words as they walk onto the court, such is its poignancy.
Billie Jean King reveals the advice she once gave Lindsay Davenport
Now, taking to X, she has sought to explain its origins: ‘I think my favourite quote is pressure is a privilege. And I think the reason is my favourite is what it says. I mean, it really is a privilege when you’re under pressure. It means you’re probably in a pretty great situation like Center Court at Wimbledon. That’s pressure.
‘We have pressures in real life too. It came about when I was the Fed Cup captain. Fed Cup is the World Cup of tennis. And I was the coach, called Captain. We’re in Las Vegas.
‘Lindsay Davenport. She’s six three, walks up to me. She’s not happy. She’s all itchy. She’s got to play Arantxa Sanchez Vicario. And she has trouble beating her. She’s just not happy.
‘She looks down at me because she’s six three and I’m looking up at her. And she goes, Just say something and I went: ‘Pressure is privilege and champions adjust!’
‘It just came out of my mouth like that. I never even thought of it. But I loved it.
‘Well, the most important thing is Lindsay. She won. She won the match. But when I talked to Lindsay today, in fact, I talked to her a couple of days ago, I don’t think she remembers that. But I certainly do.
‘I love that saying, I use it constantly. People throw it in my face constantly and they’re right is really fun. All everybody else go Oh, Billy don’t get upset, pressure is a privilege, so I have to take it as well as give it.’
Billie Jean King walked so women’s tennis could run
It is no exaggeration to suggest that women’s tennis would not be even half as successful and profitable as it is today without BJK.
Her story is one that has been told a thousand times, and rightly so, given how she often forwent her tennis in favour of social justice and equality in the sport she was so prolific at.
One man who has sought to further cement the foundation she laid many years ago is Andy Murray, who Billie Jean King suggested deserved honouring in Scotland after his Wimbledon exit.
She would finish her career with a hugely impressive 12 Grand Slam titles, but more importantly, is widely credited as someone who kickstarted the second wave of feminism, with much of the equal pay between men and women nowadays attributed to her actions all those decades ago.
This quote is merely an extension of her never-ending legacy. King will forever remain a legend both on and off the court.
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