Billie Jean King Champions Truth in New Documentary Premiere
**Billie Jean King** opened the DC/DOX documentary festival on June 27, 2026 with the premiere of *Give Me the Ball!*, a film that pulls back the curtain on her 39‑Grand‑ Slam career and the cultural battles she waged. The 82‑year‑old legend sat down for a candid Q&A, stressing she chose the project to expose truth, not to polish her legacy.
King explained she refused the typical producer role because “a person always just shows the best side of them.” She wanted a lens that could capture the bruises as well as the trophies. After weeks of prayer and reflection, she agreed to appear, trusting the filmmakers to handle the raw material. The decision reflects her lifelong habit of confronting uncomfortable facts, from Title IX fights to LGBTQ advocacy.
Co‑director Elizabeth Wolff described a moment on set when the crew filmed King playing a rally. DP Tony Hardmon set up a shot, but King interrupted, “No, you want to be down here.” She then directed the camera to her preferred angle, showing she still knows the perfect frame. King added that her love of film began with watching movies with her mother, and she often asked directors and photographers endless questions, driving them “crazy” in a good way.
The documentary traces King’s rise from a 12‑year‑old at the LA Tennis Club, where she first noticed the sport’s racial and gender divide, to the 1973 “Battle of the Sexes” showdown with Bobby Riggs. That match, broadcast to 93 million viewers, is re‑examined with restored footage, underscoring how King leveraged a single serve to shift public perception of women’s athletics.
Beyond the court, King’s story sits alongside other athletes who reshaped society-Muhammad Ali, Jackie Robinson, Arthur Ashe. By refusing a vanity project, she reinforces the idea that sport can be a platform for justice. The film’s release at a high‑profile festival signals that her message about equal pay and LGBTQ rights still resonates, especially as new generations push for similar reforms.
After the DC/DOX debut, *Give Me the Ball!* will tour major U.S. cities and stream on a leading platform later this year. King hinted she may join future screenings to discuss how the fight for equality has evolved since the 1970s. Fans can expect more behind‑the‑scenes anecdotes, including never‑before‑seen locker‑room footage and candid interviews with contemporaries like Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova.
The documentary does more than celebrate a champion’s tally; it invites viewers to witness the moments when a tennis serve became a catalyst for social change. King’s insistence on truth over glamour ensures the film will be a reference point for anyone studying sport’s power to rewrite cultural narratives.