Billie Jean King on what she’d tell Russia’s Putin: “Just be inclusive, champion everyone”

I don’t think it’s going to happen but what if Billie Jean King were to come face-to-face with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Olympics in Sochi next month?

Billie Jean, of course, is part of the official US delegation and was chosen by President Barack Obama specifically because she will be a high-profile in a country that last year passed a highly-controversial anti-gay propaganda law.

BJK was asked by ABC News what she would say to Putin should they have an encounter.

‘Please change this (anti-gay propaganda) law,’ the tennis legend said. ‘Just be inclusive – champion everyone.’

She will be one of three openly gay official US delegates at the Olympics.

‘Hopefully it will be a watershed moment because of gay rights and for the LGBT community – brings it to the forefront,’ she said of her presence at the Olympics along with fellow gay athletes Brian Boitano and Caitlin Cahow.

‘It is the civil rights issue of the 21st century so I’m very proud to be openly gay,’ Billie Jean also said.

Now 70, she retired from the pro tennis tour in 1983 – five years before tennis returned to the Olympics as an official sport. She won 39 grand slam titles in singles and doubles during her career.

‘For me personally, if I were still young enough to be going to the Olympics to perform, this (controversy over anti-gay law) would give me such high incentive,’ she said. ‘I’d be crazed. I’d be like, “Let’s go!”‘