BUILDING A LEGACY OFF THE COURT

We’re in a pinnacle second in historical past – the place we’re coming collectively on issues greater than sport. And amidst the Black Lives Matter motion, sport is once more proving itself as greater than a subject of play – it is a platform, and athletes, as they’ve had by means of historical past, possess the power to talk up, rise up and encourage plenty.

A long time in the past, Billie Jean King was an athlete who did simply this, as she fearlessly spoke out for equality amid her rise to the best ranks of tennis.

“I had an epiphany after I was 13 years previous,” says King. “I didn’t know what a platform was, however I knew that tennis was international, and that perhaps by means of it I’d be capable to make the world a greater place.”

“Then in 1970, after we the Authentic 9 signed our $1 contracts which gave delivery to girls’s skilled tennis, we actually have been enthusiastic about the long run generations, and that every era must construct up on one another. We envisioned three issues: that any woman on this planet would have a spot to compete, that she can be appreciated for her accomplishments, and that she would be capable to make a residing.”

Generations have constructed – athletes have continued to talk up and use the platforms their sport items them to face up towards injustices and demand change on this planet.

“I like seeing athletes utilizing their platforms, I feel they need to’ve been standing up since day one. We’re so lucky to have a platform that most individuals would not have, we have to use it to make constructive change.”

Final week, 16-year-old tennis participant Katrina Scott arrived in New York Metropolis to compete in one of many greatest levels of tennis for the primary time in her life. She did in order a Black lady simply at the beginning of her skilled tennis profession within the peak of a worldwide civil rights motion.

“It is unbelievable to be how younger you’re, and on that stage,” says Scott as she seems to be again at her first expertise at a significant. “However I feel it additionally felt totally different as a result of I used to be enjoying for one thing better than simply myself and my group.”

Katrina wore a Black Lives Matter shirt whereas strolling onto the courtroom within the first two rounds, recognizing her newfound platform and able to use it.  

“Sporting the Black Lives Issues shirt and doing no matter I can to assist educate extra folks and put the phrase on the market. Though it is a small gesture, it’s the little issues that go a great distance.”

An extended admirer of Billie Jean King, Katrina asks her: “What drove you to maintain going, and hold combating – the way you handled that and nonetheless managed to play excessive degree tennis?”

“It was all the time about different folks, different generations,” replies King. “I used to be actually enthusiastic about Katrina, and he or she wasn’t even born but. That’s what saved me going. I wish to have a fantastic legacy, one thing to proceed after I’m right here, will probably be a continuing reminder to everybody however notably younger folks to continuously hold going.”