Tennis icon and sports equity champion Billie Jean King achieved a major milestone on Monday — this time off the court.
At 82 years old, King officially celebrated her college graduation, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from California State University, Los Angeles.
The academic achievement comes exactly 65 years after she first enrolled at the institution in 1961.
King originally paused her education in the 1960s to focus on her rising tennis career. She went on to become one of the most influential athletes on the planet, winning 39 Grand Slam titles while pushing for equal pay across women's sports.
Decades later, however, she regretted leaving her education incomplete.
"Talk about delayed gratification," King said while delivering this year's Cal State LA commencement speech. "I came back with a purpose. I had unfinished business, and it is important to me to finish what I started."
Billie Jean King Graduation Speech Inspires Cal State LA Students
The graduation ceremony took place at the Shrine Auditorium alongside 6,000 other Cal State LA graduates. The Hall of Famer wore a customized gold stole featuring her initials, a tennis racket, and the phrase "G.O.A.T." to celebrate her legendary career.
During her commencement speech, she encouraged people of all generations to pursue their academic goals.
"It's never too late, whatever age you are," King told the crowd while revealing that she is the first member of her immediate family to earn a college degree.
King wrapped up the celebration with a playful nod to an on-court tradition: lobbing signed tennis balls into the crowd.
