Now, if y’all ever heard of Larry King, you might be thinkin’ of that fella who always had a way with words on TV, right? Well, let me tell ya, there’s a whole lot more to the man than just that. You see, Larry King, born back on January 30, 1945, ain’t just some talk show host. Nah, he’s done a whole lot more in his life. For one, he’s an attorney, a pilot, and a real estate broker, not to mention bein’ a big name in sports promotion. And don’t let me forget, he was married to none other than Billie Jean King, that famous tennis player. They sure made a mark in the world, both in tennis and beyond.
Now, you might wonder what tennis has to do with all this. Well, Billie Jean King, she ain’t just a famous tennis player, she’s a true trailblazer. Back in the day, in 1973, she went up against Bobby Riggs in what they called the “Battle of the Sexes.” And it was Larry King, her ex-husband, who helped put together the Virginia Slims pro circuit, which was a big deal for women in tennis. This was somethin’ that really helped push the sport forward for women. You see, Larry wasn’t just sittin’ around, he was makin’ things happen behind the scenes.
In fact, back in 1974, Larry King played a big part in startin’ up World TeamTennis, or WTT, with his wife Billie Jean and a few others. Now, this World TeamTennis, it was a new way to play the game, and it took off like wildfire. It was a bit different from the regular tournaments, a bit more team-oriented, and it brought in a whole new audience. Larry King was right in the thick of it, doin’ his part to change the way folks thought about tennis.
And you know, despite their divorce in 1987, Larry and Billie Jean King stayed close, real close. They always had respect for each other, and that was somethin’ rare in the world of sports. Now, Billie Jean King, she’s not only one of the best tennis players to ever pick up a racket, but she’s also been a real advocate for women in sports and for the LGBTQ community. And you know what? Larry King, well, he was right there by her side through all that. He supported her in a lot of ways, even though their personal lives took different paths.
So, when folks talk about Larry King, they might mention his big ol’ talk show, “Larry King Live,” where he interviewed folks from all walks of life, from presidents to pop stars. But for me, it’s the behind-the-scenes stuff that makes him stand out. He helped push for change, not just in tennis, but in the way we look at sports and women in sports.
Even now, when you think of Larry King, it ain’t just his voice on TV you remember. It’s the work he did to make sure women’s sports, especially tennis, got the attention it deserved. And you gotta hand it to him—he didn’t just sit back and let others do the work. He was right there, pushin’ for change and doin’ everything he could to help the game grow.
So, next time you hear someone talk about Larry King, just remember, he ain’t just the man with the questions on TV. He’s a fella who made a difference in a lotta folks’ lives, especially in the world of tennis.
Tags：[Larry King, Billie Jean King, tennis, sports promoter, World TeamTennis, Battle of the Sexes, tennis history, women’s sports, Virginia Slims pro circuit, sports advocate]
