Wimbledon Legend Billie Jean King Urges World to ‘Listen’ to Trans Athletes’ Stories

Billie Jean King Calls for Empathy and Inclusion

As the world’s attention turns to Wimbledon, tennis icon Billie Jean King has used her platform to advocate for transgender athletes, emphasizing the need for empathy, understanding, and active listening within the sports community. In a recent interview published just days before the tournament, King addressed the challenges faced by transgender people in sport, calling on fans, officials, and fellow athletes to engage with and support trans individuals, rather than exclude or judge them .

"Just listen to their stories," King urged. "Listen—not tell them. Everyone is unique. Make them feel included because you really don't know. With every person I meet, I try to start with a blank. Ask questions." She highlighted the immense difficulties many trans athletes face, describing the situation as “a nightmare” for those simply seeking the chance to participate in the sports they love .

A Divisive Debate in Sports

King’s comments arrive at a time of heightened debate over the participation of transgender women in women’s sports, with governing bodies in tennis and other sports grappling with policy decisions. Notably, several international and national organizations have introduced or are considering new regulations that would restrict or ban transgender women from competing in certain female divisions, citing fairness and competitive equity . Anti-transgender groups have also increased legal pressure, demanding all transgender women be barred from NCAA women’s sports, and seeking to retroactively strip achievements from trans athletes .

Despite these challenges, King has remained an outspoken supporter of transgender athletes’ rights. She previously joined nearly 200 athletes in signing a friend-of-the-court brief advocating for trans youth participation in sports, underscoring her belief that “there is no place in any sport for discrimination of any kind” .

A Call for Open Dialogue and Compassion

King’s advocacy is grounded in her long history of fighting for equality and inclusion in sports. She emphasized that while debate over policy should continue, it must be informed by the lived experiences of those most affected—transgender athletes themselves. “The whole thing’s a nightmare,” she said, urging people to move beyond assumptions and instead approach each individual with curiosity and empathy .

This perspective stands in contrast to some high-profile former athletes who have publicly questioned or opposed trans inclusion in women’s tennis, fueling often heated and polarized debate . King’s approach, however, centers on dialogue: “With every person I meet, I try to start with a blank. Ask questions. If I weren’t doing this interview with you, I’d be bugging you with a lot of questions” .

LGBTQ+ Advocates Applaud King’s Leadership

LGBTQ+ organizations and advocates have praised King’s continued leadership on the issue, noting the impact of her visibility and allyship in a sports world that is often divided over transgender inclusion. By urging the public and sports world to “listen” rather than judge, King’s remarks have provided hope and affirmation to many transgender athletes and allies . Athlete Ally and the Women’s Sports Foundation, both prominent organizations advocating for LGBTQ+ inclusion in sport, have echoed King’s call for respect, dignity, and equal opportunity for all athletes, regardless of gender identity .

As the conversation around transgender participation in sports continues to evolve, King’s message stands as a reminder that the path to true inclusion begins with listening to those whose voices are too often unheard.