By Jason Brown and Billie Jean King

Growing up as a kid in Long Beach, Calif., future 20-time Wimbledon champion Billie Jean King never considered herself to be a tennis player, let alone even knew what a tennis court looked like.

By the time she picked up a tennis racket for the first time as a precocious 11-year-old bundle of talent, one introductory lesson on a local public tennis court was all it took for King to know that the sport was for her.

King’s story, straightforward and simple, should resonate to anyone: It’s never too early or too late to pick up tennis, and when you do, it can become a meaningful activity that can last a lifetime.

Now an enterprising 63-year-old and long since retired from her years as a pioneering tour professional, King plays three days a week for an hour each time and has maintained a special connection to the game.

When the seasons change from the doldrums of winter to the renewal of spring, it’s time for chores – removing storm windows, packing away wool sweaters and dragging out dusty lawn furniture – but after the work is done, the month of May is the perfect time to get off the couch and go play on your favorite court.

“Tennis Month is really to get our country thinking about tennis if they haven’t already,” said King. “The weather’s starting to shift, and most people think of tennis as being outdoors and it’s time to get the old racket out.”

King sees tennis as good, old-fashioned exercise, a great new way to meet new friends, and a gateway to a bright, positive outlook on life.

“Personally, it’s mind, body and spirit as one. What it means for me personally is that, when I come off the court, I realize how more connected that I am to myself. But I feel emotionally as one for a few moments. Because you know when you’re busy during the day and feel disconnected at times – it’s kind of a way to get me all back together again in my mind, body and spirit as one. I really appreciate that I can still play tennis. Every time that I see a tennis court, I get so excited I can’t tell you.”