Billie Jean King’s quote, “Champions keep playing until they get it right,” captures a core aspect of her philosophy on success, perseverance, and the relentless pursuit of improvement. As one of the most iconic and accomplished tennis players of all time, King’s words offer insight into what it takes to achieve greatness—not just in sports, but in any area of life. Let’s break down this quote:
1. Perseverance and Resilience:
At its heart, King’s statement is about perseverance—the ability to continue striving towards a goal despite setbacks, mistakes, or obstacles. “Champions,” in this context, are those who don’t give up when things get difficult or when they face failure. Instead, they keep “playing,” meaning they keep trying, learning, and improving until they achieve mastery or success.
This notion of not quitting when things go wrong is central to what it means to be a champion. Failure is part of the process, but champions view each failure not as an endpoint, but as a learning opportunity. King is emphasizing that champions are distinguished not by their lack of failure, but by their ability to persist through it and continue striving until they “get it right.”
2. The Importance of Continuous Improvement:
Another key implication of this quote is the idea of continuous improvement. “Getting it right” suggests that champions don’t settle for mediocrity or complacency—they are always looking for ways to improve. Success, for Billie Jean King, is not just about achieving something once but about the ongoing process of refining and perfecting one’s craft. This mindset fosters a growth-oriented attitude, where champions are focused on the journey of self-improvement rather than just the destination or the outcome.
For King, as for many elite athletes, achieving greatness is a constant process of honing one’s skills, analyzing performance, and making adjustments. Even after a victory, there is always room to grow. A champion does not stop after achieving success—they continue to push the limits of their potential.
3. Mental Toughness and Patience:
King’s quote also underscores the mental toughness required to be a champion. It’s not enough to have talent; one must also have the patience and grit to keep going in the face of challenges. In sports, this could mean dealing with physical exhaustion, injuries, and the mental strain of competition. But in any domain, the same principles apply: champions face adversity with resilience and continue to press forward, no matter how long it takes to “get it right.”
This mental fortitude is what separates the truly great from those who give up when the going gets tough. Champions recognize that mastery requires time, effort, and a willingness to fail and try again. Their mental toughness allows them to keep playing—focusing on the long-term goal instead of immediate results.
4. Commitment to Excellence:
The phrase “get it right” implies a high standard of excellence. Champions are not content with being good; they strive to be the best. King’s approach to this idea suggests that reaching an ideal or perfect performance is a continual process, not a one-time achievement. The relentless drive to “get it right” means that champions never stop striving for the highest possible standard in whatever they do.
This commitment to excellence is not just about the external reward of success, but about an internal standard of mastery. For King, being a champion is a reflection of how dedicated you are to your craft and how much you are willing to sacrifice, learn, and grow to be the best.
5. The Role of Passion and Motivation:
Implicit in this quote is the notion that champions are motivated by more than just the desire to win—they are driven by a deep passion for their pursuit. King’s own career exemplifies this idea. She was driven not just by the desire to win tennis matches, but by a broader sense of purpose—whether it was her pioneering work for gender equality in sports or her commitment to changing the landscape of tennis. This internal drive and passion fuel her ability to “keep playing” long after others may have given up.
For anyone striving to be a champion in any field, the key takeaway here is that passion and intrinsic motivation are often what sustain you during difficult moments. When a champion’s desire to “get it right” outweighs the challenges they face, they will continue to put in the necessary work, time, and effort to improve.
6. Overcoming Fear of Failure:
By emphasizing that champions “keep playing” until they get it right, King also touches on the idea of overcoming the fear of failure. Many people stop trying once they’ve failed a few times, thinking they’re not good enough or that success is out of reach. But champions know that failure is simply a part of the process. Rather than viewing failure as a reason to quit, they see it as an opportunity to learn and adjust.
This quote, therefore, encourages resilience in the face of failure—not as something to avoid, but as a stepping stone to eventual success. Champions embrace failure as a necessary part of growth and keep pushing forward.
7. Growth Mindset:
Finally, the quote embodies the growth mindset, a concept popularized by psychologist Carol Dweck. Those with a growth mindset believe that abilities and intelligence can be developed through effort, perseverance, and learning from mistakes. King’s words reflect this philosophy: champions are not born; they are made through a continuous process of effort, learning, and resilience. They “keep playing” because they believe that with enough effort, they can improve and ultimately achieve their goals.
Conclusion:
Billie Jean King’s quote is a powerful testament to the qualities that define champions: perseverance, resilience, a commitment to excellence, and an unyielding desire to improve. Being a champion is not about never making mistakes or achieving immediate success; it is about the determination to keep going, to learn from each experience, and to relentlessly pursue mastery. Whether in sports or in life, the champion’s mindset is one of continuous growth, where “getting it right” is not a final destination but a process that requires ongoing effort, patience, and belief in oneself.