ALL IN: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY by Billie Jean King

 I watch the Australian Open on TV every January - the only Grand Slam matching my waking hours. And every year sitting in the stands watching with an eagle eye is Billie Jean King. A woman I knew nothing about until seeing the movie Battle of the Sexes and then when I saw this come into the bookshop, it lured me in with it's over the top action cover, I had to read it. These sports biographies of extraordinarily successful and enduring athletes are usually outstanding, and this is one of the best. I play tennis too and I am female - ha, ha -  the only common characteristics with Billie Jean, and only a very average player at that too. Still, at least I know how the game works which is a major advantage when reading this as there is a lot of tennis in it, and the psychology that goes with playing the game. 

Billie Jean is now in her late 70s, although in no way does she look it. Understated well groomed glamour and that fantastic smile that, in our average eyes, makes her so human, approachable and likeable. Her story begins in the early 1940s, Long Beach, California, born to possibly the most wonderful self-sacrificing and adoring parents ever, committed to giving their two athletic and bright children every opportunity they can, encouraging and developing in them the self belief that made them both exceptional athletes, her brother Randy in baseball. She also highlights the huge influence other adults had in her life - her first tennis teacher and the previously famous player, Alice Marble, who took her under her wing and for a period of time was the most important adult in her young life. A lack of money was never going to stop this dynamo from achieving her goals, which she drew up at a young age, and in swash buckling style set about taking the tennis world by storm.

It seems to me, that aside from her talent, work ethic and her endless optimism, her greatest talent is her intense interest in people, getting on with them, building and maintaining friendships, tennis partnerships, getting the best out of people. She marries Larry King, and together these two should get medals for what they have done for professional and team tennis competition. More importantly they, with Billie Jean as the face of everything they do, created the Women's Tennis Association - the WTA - with 8 other women players, taking on the male tennis establishment resulting, eventually, in prize money for money equalling that for men. Magnificent. 

Then there is the campaigning and tireless work she has done for the LGBTQ+ community, again a labour of love, intense focus, energy. The energy and tirelessness this woman has is jaw dropping, even she admits at times she is too much! She shares her personal life, her marriage and enduring love for Larry, their commitment to each other, her internal sexuality conflict, her love relationships and the fall out at a time when being a gay sports star was the kiss of death. Then her meeting and relationship with the love of her life.  

What stands out is how in the very abnormal world of top level professional sport, she seems to be so normal, so grounded, so straight forward and endearing. This is a big book, because she has had, and continues to have a big life. A truly outstanding legacy she is leaving, having used herself as the prime leverage for what she has achieved. She would be the last one to say these achievements are hers alone, she would have lists of names and organisations of everyone and everything that has led to the successes attached to her. Fabulous book, fabulous woman. Oh, and there is also plenty about tennis!