King of passing on her passion

Deirdre Newman

One of Billie Jean King’s passions is introducing tennis to new

generations.

One of the ways she does that is through World TeamTennis, which

she co-founded in 1973. On Tuesday, she came to the Hyatt Newporter

Hotel to thank the sponsors of the Newport Beach Breakers tennis

team, which she co-owns, for their support.

World TeamTennis features the international stars of tennis

playing together on coed teams. The format sends positive messages to

youth, King said.

“When young people come watch, they see men and women cooperate --

that’s a very strong message,” she said.

As part of her mission to introduce youngsters to tennis, King

visited an elementary school in Santa Ana Monday and participated in

tennis drills with the students. She credits the Parks and Recreation

Department of Long Beach, where she grew up, for providing an

opportunity for her to realize her dream.

“At the end of my first lesson, at age 11, I decided I wanted to

be the No. 1 tennis player,” King said. “At 12, I had an epiphany

that I wanted to change the world.”

Youth recreation is one of the city programs and services Costa

Mesa is considering paring down or eliminating in an effort to reduce

spending. After her speech to the sponsors, King urged cities against

cutting recreational programs like tennis lessons in lean economic

times.

“I urge them greatly not to because I’m a perfect example of what

a difference that made,” King said. “Having that available changed my

life.”

The Newport Beach Breakers 2004 schedule starts on July 5. At

every game around the country, the league will give tennis rackets to

children between 4 and 12 years old. Advanta, the presenting sponsor

of the Breakers, will track the use of those rackets, King said. Last

year, the league only gave rackets out to youngsters who came to see

three teams and the rackets had an 80% user rate, she said.

Matt West, senior vice president of CommerceWest Bank, said his

company sponsors the Breakers to support the community and generate

business.

“It’s a way for us to give back to the community and support the

only professional team in Newport Beach,” West said. “And for us, it

fits our demographics, so we’re hoping to get some business out of

it.”

King emphasized the importance for those who live in such an

affluent area to give back.

“Really, try to become part of the community and give back,” King

said. “And give back more than you receive. Most of us here are more

fortunate than 99% of the world.”