Billie Jean King Delivers a Mindset-Changing Pep Talk: 'Pressure Is a Privilege'

The tennis champion explains how adversity is really an "opportunity"

When Billie Jean King beat men’s tennis star Bobby Riggs in a match called “the Battle of the Sexes" 50 years ago this month, her win propelled women’s tennis to new heights — and helped set the stage for equal prize money at the US Open for the men's and women's champions.

The tennis star, 79, is now teaming up with e.l.f. and PEOPLE to share a version of the confidence-boosting pep talk she gave herself before the iconic match.

At PEOPLE and e.l.f. SKIN’s "Women Changing the Game" party, thrown in King's honor on Sept. 20, the iconic athlete emphasized the importance of staying in the present.

“Every single day I visualized winning, no matter what was going on,” King explains of her victory-winning mindset. “Stay focused, focused, focused.”

Related: Inside PEOPLE and e.l.f.'s Exclusive Party Honoring the Great Billie Jean King

As a champion of equality in women’s sports, the former world No. 1 tennis player is no stranger to pressure. In fact, “pressure is a privilege,” is part of her saying.

“It’s how we look at something whether we feel a lot of pressure or not,” King says. “I like pressure. It helps me realize it’s an opportunity.”

King’s track record certainly demonstrates her ability to embrace pressure, having accumulated 39 Grand Slam titles in both singles and doubles over the course of her decades-long career.

Most recently, she stepped onstage at the US Open to commemorate the 50th anniversary of equal prize money for both sexes. And on such a big stage, it was important to look and feel her best — for which she says she relies on e.l.f.'s Holy Hydration skincare line.

And since King knows how to close strong, she leaves viewers with the advice to try to reframe challenges as opportunities in the future. "I hope it helps you. It helps me a lot!"

PEOPLE Pep Talks, presented by e.l.f., offers a confidence boost via motivational chats with everyone from actors and comedians to athletes and beauty pros. So whether you’re going on an interview, taking on a daunting task, getting ready for a date or just not feeling your best, these talks will help you #GoPepYourelf

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Read the original article on People.