06880

With over 600 attendees — and many more watching the livestream — it was the best-attended “Booked for the Evening” ever.

With over $750,000 raised, it was the most successful too.

And with special guest Chris Evert and Westport’s own ESPN star Chris McKendry adding to the luster of superstar Billie Jean King, it was certainly the most warm, intimate and inspiring in the Library fundraiser’s illustrious 25-year history.

A small portion of the large crowd, before “Booked for the Evening” began. (Photo/Dan Woog)

The 80-year-old honoree is a tennis icon. She won 39 Grand Slam titles, in singles and doubles. She is an International Tennis Hall of Famer, was ranked #1 in the world 5 times, and launched both the first pro tennis tour for women, and the Women’s Tennis Associaition.

She may be the only athlete in the world to have a venue named after her, while still alive. (And not just any one: The Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, where the US Open concluded a few days ago, is the premier facility in the country.)

But — as was noted often, by a wide variety of speakers, on stage and in a loving tribute video by Westporter Doug Tirola — King is much more than an athlete.

She has spent her life fighting against injustice, and for the rights of everyone: women, minorities, the LGBTQ community, and anyone else denied their rights, on the tennis court or in life.

King’s admirers filled the Library’s Trefz Forum. They were there in Tirola’s film, too: Serena Williams, Pam Shriver, John and Patrick McEnroe, James Blake, Stan Smith, Julie Foudy, Christiane Armanpour.

All spoke with humor, respect and awe of King’s impact — on their own lives, on sports in general, and the world at large.

Billie Jean King (left) and Chris McKendry. (Photo/Dinkin Fotografix)

McKendry — an admirer from her early days at ESPN — got King to talk about her early life, and career highlights (including how and why Elton John wrote “Philadelphia Freedom” about her; the song was sung on stage by Westporter Sophie B. Hawkins, and a group of talented young girls).

But King’s insights into her use of the platform sports provided, to shine a light on issues like unequal pay for female athletes and the importance of Title IX, were the most compelling parts of the night.

Her character shone through in stories like her friendship with Bobby Riggs. After their much-hyped “Battle of the Sexes” — the 1973 exhibition she won in straight sets — the two grew close. She called him the night before he died; each told the other “I love you.”

Evert — now 69 — made a surprise appearance. Calling King “the 8th wonder of the world,” she recounted the older woman’s mentorship — including King’s delight at Evert beating her, heralding the next generation of great female players.

Chris Evert (left) joins Billie Jean King and Chris McKendry. (Photo/Dinkin Fotografix)

“She even helped me during my breakup with Jimmy Connors,” Evert noted, underscoring the fact that King — who has been in a 40-plus years relationship with South African player Ilana Kloss — is wise in many areas.

Or, as Evert noted, “Billie Jean has more wisdom than anyone I’ve met in my life. And I’ve met a lot.”

“Lots of therapy,” King quipped.

King talked about how much has changed in women’s tennis. Players today have “teams” of coaches (“all men,” King noted sadly), trainers, psychologists, nutritionists and more.

In her day, King traveled alone, and with only 2 racquets. (“Now they have 3 bags for them.”)

But, she said, “I’m thrilled for them. That’s what I fought for.”

When McKendry asked what King is most proud of, she demurred.

“I don’t think that way. I think forward. Maybe when I’m older …”

Near the end, McKendry asked, “All over the world, women’s sports are now having a moment. What’s that like for you?”

Like a great tennis player, King found the best angle.

“I’m the first athlete you’ve had here” as a “Booked for the Evening” honoree, she said.

It’s a star-studded list of writers, artists and others: Tom Brokow, E.L. Doctorow, Calvin Trillin, Wendy Wasserstein, Pete Hamill, Martin Scorsese, Doris Kearns Goodwin, David Halberstam, Patti Smith, Jon Meacham, Nile Rodgers, Lynsey Adddario, Alan Alda, Justin Paul, Frederic Chiu, Itzhak Perlman, Shonda Rhimes and more.

“Tonight, your first athlete was a woman. You have no idea what that means to me,” King said.

She was also the first female athlete to get the Presidential Medal of Freedom, her wife — who joined her onstage — said.

“You are the OG, and you helped build it,” Kloss added proudly.

Ilana Kloss, Billie Jean King’s wife. The couple were married in a small ceremony, by former New York Mayor David Dinkins. (Photo/Dan Woog)

The evening ended with Library director Bill Harmer noting that King’s father, Bill Moffitt, was a firefighter.

Westport Fire Chief Nick Marsan announced that King — who “embodies the department’s core values of courage, resilience and a desire to serve every person” — is now an honorary Westport firefighter.

He gave her a Westport firefighter’s hat, inscribed with her initials.

She looked as delighted as if she held the Wimbledon trophy.

Westport Fire Chief Nick Marsan hands Billie Jean King a plaque, and a firefighter’s hat. Library director Bill Harmer looks on proudly. (Photo/Dan Woog)

(“06880” is where Westport meets the world — and readers meet icons like Billie Jean King. If you enjoy this hyper-local blog, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)