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Billie Jean King Serves Up 40th Season of World Team Tennis

NEW YORK — Billie Jean King and World Team Tennis are serving up their 40th season, a feat accomplished only by the big four leagues in the United States.

Co-founder King recalls the early years of the mid-1970s when Robert Kraft owned the Boston Lobsters and Jerry Buss owned the Los Angeles Strings. She was the No. 1 pick in the WTT draft for the Philadelphia Freedoms, and Martina Navratilova played for Boston.

"I just remember the first night when I ran out, it was at the Spectrum. Of course, it's been imploded now like most of the places I've played in," King said recently, laughing while recalling the legendary Philadelphia venue.