Billie Jean King on Her Iconic Sports Legacy, Skincare, and Self-Confidence

Billie Jean King needs no introduction, but her beyond-impressive career accolades deserve to be rattled off. The California-born athlete is a former world no. 1 tennis player, winning 39 Grand Slam titles throughout her career. In 1973, she famously competed against Bobby Riggs (a male tennis player who believed women's tennis was inferior) in the widely-televised "Battle of the Sexes" match and won. King's triumph was a pivotal moment in the sport, helping to shift public perception of women's tennis and draw greater attention to the pay disparity between male and female athletes.

In the 50 years since then, King has continued to fight for gender and pay equity in sports. While she's no longer serving on the court, she regularly works with companies that align with her mission. Case in point: Her new partnership with e.l.f. Skin. The purpose-driven beauty brand donated $50,000 to the Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative and provided four rising female tennis players from the John McEnroe Tennis Academy with the chance to meet King. Ahead, the legendary tennis icon opens up about her work with e.l.f. Skin, her beauty routine then and now, and cultivating self-confidence.

On the Impact of the "Battle of the Sexes"

"I knew I wanted the match [against Bobby Riggs] to change the hearts and minds of people. Title IX had just passed the year before, and I wanted to keep the momentum going because things like that can weaken quickly. I didn't want that to happen. I wanted boys and girls to have equality in sports. I thought the match could open the floodgates of our minds. I believed if women could see me win and be strong, it could help them start believing in themselves and asking for raises. I've had so many women tell me that night changed everything for them. And with men, it awakened them, especially if they had a daughter."

On Her Partnership With e.l.f. Skin

"This partnership makes sense because e.l.f. wants equality, so our philosophies are totally aligned. They love that I talk about equality and improving young people's lives. Also, most people believe athletes don't like makeup, but we do. I think it's important that we take care of our skin and bodies. When we started women's professional tennis, we wanted to ensure that any girl would have a place to compete and be appreciated for her accomplishments, not just her looks. I want us to look good and play great."

On Her Introduction to Beauty

"My mother was a cosmetologist and did hair. She would never go out without makeup, even to the grocery store. Growing up, we also used to play around with our hair and makeup."

On Her Beauty Routine Then and Now

"We didn't have sunscreen for a while while I played, but later on, I began using this brand called Aztec, and it did help [my skin]. Now, most tennis players wear makeup and put a ton of sunscreen on. Personally, I'm starting to have more fun [with makeup and skincare]. Holy Hydration! Face Cream ($13) is my favorite product right now, and I'm also experimenting with different lipsticks [from the brand].

On Learning From Different Generations

"When different generations talk [to each other] about things, that's how we learn. I think older generations are learning from younger generations about all kinds of things, from healthcare to conserving the environment. It helps older generations become more alert."

On How to Cultivate Confidence

"Being your authentic self is really important, and my generation was not taught how to do that. You have to ask yourself, Who are you? What do you stand for? Being kind and good to people is also key. You also have to surround yourself with people who are [aligned with you] mentally and emotionally. Another thing is don't try to be perfect. Traditionally, girls are taught to be perfect, and boys are taught to be brave, which is ridiculous. No one is perfect, and no one can always be brave."

Up Next: Paralympic Athlete Anastasia Pagonis Proves Beauty Is More Than Ability

Read the original article on Byrdie.