A Privilege to Pod: Kamau Murray chats with Billie Jean King on the Tennis.com Podcast
Among other things, the legend discussed the origin of her iconic quote, "pressure is a privilege," with host Kamau Murray.
It was the year 2000, and Lindsay Davenport just lost the second set 6-1 to Aranxta Sanchez Vicario. In desperate need of guidance, Davenport looked to Fed Cup Captain Billie Jean King for help.
“Help me, I gotta figure something out,” Davenport said to King.
To which King responded off the cuff, “Champions adjust, and pressure is a privilege, let’s go!”
Fired up by the advice, Davenport would go on to win the match 6-2, 1-6, 6-3.
This is just one of many behind-the-scenes looks into King’s lifetime of tennis trailblazing explored with new podcast host Kamau Murray.
The two also discussed King’s hero, Althea Gibson.
“I got to see her play at the Los Angeles tennis club, and that’s when I realized what No. 1 looks like,” King said.
“Just by her presence, and watching her play live, it changed my whole life.”