LOS ANGELES - Tennis legend Billie Jean King was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, marking her as the first woman in the sports entertainment category to receive this recognition. The ceremony took place on Monday and was attended by notable figures such as Magic Johnson and Academy Award-winning actress Jamie Lee Curtis.
"The most important thing is, I don't want to be the last," King, a Hall of Fame inductee, expressed to the audience during the event.
Star number 2,807 was awarded to King, situated near the intersection of Hollywood and Vine, in proximity to the Pantages Theater. The theater's marquee displayed a congratulatory message: "A star for a star. Congratulations Billie Jean King."
Spectators gathered along the sidewalk near a local dumpling establishment, with the sounds of honking horns and passing celebrity tour buses filling the air on Hollywood Boulevard. King’s spouse, Ilana Kloss, was present, capturing moments with her own camera.
"You consistently champion what is right," Johnson remarked to King amidst the lively atmosphere. "You dedicate your influence, your voice, your time, and your resources to instigate change."
Johnson, like King, holds an ownership stake in the Los Angeles Dodgers, recently celebrated at the White House for their 2024 World Series victory.
"We share many similarities," Johnson noted. "We are intensely competitive, and we maintain a high degree of control because we are confident in our ability to achieve success. You have consistently demonstrated a winning attitude, a dedication to assisting others, and a commitment to upholding what is just."
The event served as a reunion for King with fellow tennis players Rosie Casals and Julie Anthony from the early days of the WTA Tour, along with Connie Spooner, the tour's former athletic trainer. Maria Sharapova, a five-time major champion, and Stacey Allaster, the U.S. Open tournament director and former WTA CEO, were also in attendance.
Curtis emphasized, "Billie Jean King's essence is power. She exemplifies power on the court, power in legal settings, power in the media, power through her public advocacy, power in her pursuit of freedom, and power in embracing her authentic self."
Growing up in Long Beach, King honed her skills at the Los Angeles and Beverly Hills tennis clubs, often encountering stars such as Lucille Ball and Doris Day.
"My family shared a love for music and movies," King reminisced. "A visit to Hollywood, catching a film at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, was a cherished experience for our family. My mother would have truly appreciated this moment."
King attended Holly Hunter’s Walk of Fame ceremony back in 2008.
"I recall thinking at that time, 'This is truly remarkable and extraordinary,'" she recounted. "I never imagined I would receive this honor myself. And yet, here I am."
King stepped onto her bronze star first after its unveiling, situated a few blocks east of Elton John's star.
She concluded, "Remember, my star is a reflection of all of you."
Other notable attendees included Jeanie Buss, owner of the Los Angeles Lakers, along with her husband Jay Mohr, rapper Flavor Flav, race-car driver Katherine Legge, and Emmy-winning screenwriter Jane Anderson.
Earlier this year, King was the grand marshal of the 136th Rose Parade, and last year she was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.