What a thrill and a privilege to hit a few balls with @Martina. The years have passed, but the friendship and memories remain.
Video: Billie Jean King returns to the court to rally with old rival Navratilova at Indian Wells
WTAThursday, 17 March 2022 at 01:00
An old rivalry was renewed this week at BNP Paribas Open Indian Wells when WTA legends Billie Jean King and Martina Navratilova took to the courts to hit a few balls together.
The pair were filmed hitting a tennis ball to each other at the Indian Ridge Country Club, a short drive away from the courts where the WTA 1000 event is taking place. While the 78-year-old King and 65-year-old Navratilova were not engaged in a full-blown tennis match, they were both still trying to make their opponent work as they volleyed the ball between themselves.
King shared the clip with the caption: “What a thrill and a privilege to hit a few balls with @Martina. The years have passed, but the friendship and memories remain.”
The video was also shared on the official WTA account with the caption: “Form is temporary. Class is permanent. Absolutely LOVE to see it."
King and Navratilova played 14 times during a period from 1977 to 1981. At that point, King had already won all 12 of her Grand Slam titles, and triumphed in the first four encounters.
Navratilova earned her first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in 1978, and from then on the battles with King became more fiercely contested.
Ultimately, Navratilova came out on top, winning eight of the 14 matches with King.
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