The Autobiography of Billie Jean King

by Billie Jean with Deford King, Frank Deford

The story of a great tennis player

Genres: Biography, Sports

252 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 1983

Reviews

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall it was a really interesting autobiography and insight into the world of pro/shamateur tennis. She really clearly goes through strengths and weaknesses in her own game and other players’. And coming from a true great of tennis it was cool to see her analysis of other players. There were also some really interesting insights into tennis as a business in the 60-80s.
This book is 5 stars without the uncomfortable parts of how the “homosexual lifestyle” has never appealed to her. Like I understand at the time she was both closeted and had just been outed and was being sued by the woman she had been with but even with that background those parts are still difficult to read.

[W]

Though not among the most glamorous tennis players,Billie Jean King was an advocate of gender equality in tennis,and increased prize money for the women.She also famously defeated a male tennis
player,though he was 55 years old.