Courtesy of Jonathan Exley

Into It: Billie Jean King

The legendary tennis player holds court on what she's reading, watching, and listening to.

... reading?

I'm currently reading When Pride Still Mattered: A Life of Vince Lombardi, David Maraniss's historic tale of the great [Green Bay] Packers coach and the formation of the NFL. There is so much we can learn from Maraniss's grasp of important and historic moments. I can't wait to get through this one so I can start some of his other works, including First in His Class and They Marched into Sunlight. I also just started David Kindred's book Sound and Fury, about Muhammad Ali and Howard Cosell.

... watching?

I love going to the movies, but I'm frustrated that I am behind on my list of films to see. I recently saw Rendition and Michael Clayton. Both were very entertaining films. At home I [was recently] engrossed in Ken Burns's wonderful epic on World War II, The War.

... listening to?

The music of the 1970s still holds a special place in my heart. I find myself listening to anything my friend Elton John has ever recorded, and I have a soft spot for classic Bruce Springsteen songs. On the jazz side, I am a huge Diana Krall fan – and for new music, I think James Blunt is great.

• Billie Jean King, winner of a dozen Grand Slam singles titles and 11 mixed-doubles crowns, is founder of the Women's Sports Foundation, whose GoGirlGo! Network works to increase the physical activity of girls ages 8 to 18. She is also a cofounder of WorldTeam Tennis.

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