Photograph from Give Me the Ball: a tennis player with glasses and dark hair, in a white dress, crouches ready with a racket, with spectators behind her.

Give Me the Ball!

102

Minutes

Directed by:

Liz Garbus Elizabeth Wolff

Starring:

Billie Jean King Elton John Ilana Sheryl Kloss Larry King Serena Williams Chris Evert

Synopsis

Sports legend. Feminist icon. Trailblazer. Billie Jean King earned it. From her start in the 1960s, to the creation of women’s tennis tournaments, to “The Battle of the Sexes,” she fought not only to be a champion, but a formidable warrior for all women in sports — no matter the personal cost. This witty, appreciative documentary traces King's legacy using archival footage and interviews with colleagues and those close to her, and the indomitable woman herself. Without a doubt, one of the best sports documentaries this decade. Viva Billie Jean King!

Black-and-white photograph of a crowd of spectators at a tennis event, some holding placards, with a banner behind them.
Photograph from Give Me the Ball: a tennis player with glasses and dark hair, in a white dress, crouches ready with a racket, with spectators behind her.
Photograph from Give Me the Ball: a tennis player in a white top and blue shorts stretches low to hit a shot, with spectators in the dark behind her.
Black-and-white photograph of a woman sitting on a desk in an office with her foot raised, talking on a telephone with a long curly cord.
Close-up black-and-white photograph of a woman in a white T-shirt with partly visible printed lettering and a hoop earring.
Photograph from Give Me the Ball: a tennis player prepares to hit a shot on court in front of a banner for the Virginia Slims Championship.
Photograph from Give Me the Ball: a woman in a white tennis outfit sits courtside among a row of seated spectators, with drinks on a table in front of her.