Billie Jean King received the star treatment Monday in Hollywood when the American tennis and cultural icon became the first woman to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the new sports entertainment category.
“The important thing is, I don’t want to be the last one,” the Hall of Famer said during a ceremony that was attended by US Open tournament director Stacey Allaster, Magic Johnson, actress Jamie Lee Curtis and many more special guests.
"Remember, my star is your star," King added, echoing her famous line from the 2006 dedication of her namesake USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center: "Mi casa es su casa!"
Other tennis stars at King's ceremony included Maria Sharapova, Rosie Casals (part of the Original Nine alongside King) and King's wife Ilana Kloss.
Having grown up in Long Beach, Calif., an hour's drive south of Hollywood, King and her family often visited Tinseltown to see movies and concerts. In 2008, King attended Oscar-winning actress Holly Hunter's star ceremony.
“I remember thinking back then, ‘Oh man, this is really cool. This is unbelievable,’” she said. “‘Oh, I’m never going to get this.’ Here I am.”
King's ties to the city also extend to her part-ownership of the Los Angeles Dodgers, the reigning MLB World Series champions. Magic Johnson is also a part owner of the baseball team.
Other special guests at Monday's ceremony included Los Angeles Lakers owner Jeanie Buss, rapper Flavor Flav, race-car driver Katherine Legge and Emmy-winning screenwriter Jane Anderson.
Billie Jean King, Stacey Allaster (right), Ilana Kloss (middle right) and special guests at King's Hollywood Walk of Fame Star Ceremony.
