Into It: Billie Jean King

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

from the November 30, 2007 edition

... 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.