More than 50 years later at age 80, King still has a lot going on.
With all this and more keeping her busy with near-constant travel and engagements, Kings wellness practices are essential.
She makes a point to move her body regularly, and even rediscovered her love for playing tennis recently.
Here, she shares the wellness practices that keep her going.
Billie Jean Kings 4 favorite wellness practices
1.
She was absolutely correct.
King says her mother had always been a really good swimmer, even though she never talked about it.
Dancing is fun, but I dont do thatI probably should start doing that.
Whatever worksits about moving, and doing the best you’re free to.
…
Once I hit one ball, I was off and running, King says.
Now, shes back to playing tennis at least three times a week.
Im so much happierI look forward to it.
Actually, I dont look forward to it sometimes.
Its a lot of work.
But once its over Im so glad I did it.
I think that helps me stay young.
Its so much fun to feel the ball against the strings; its really magical for me.
Billie Jean King
She says playing tennis regularly also helps her emotionally and mentally.
But I have to push myself.
Im trying my guts out.
I cant run more than, like, three feetIve had so many knee operationsbut Im trying so hard.
That usually means staying up until 1 a.m. and sleeping in until 9 a.m.
I have a go at move everything back and start later, she says.
I do my best thinking when its quiet at night.
This is one time we can help ourselves, she says.
Im up to steam.
Especially since Im older.
I dont feel old, but Im older.
How shes empowering the next generation of advocates
Billie Jean Kings wellness practices also include her advocacy.
As a very young tennis player, King realized how much inequality existed in her sport.
Maybe I can make the world a better place through sports, she says.
Each generation has to fight really hard.
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