Champions keep playing until they get it right.

The line distills a core ethic of elite sport: persistence beyond failure. “Keep playing” suggests an orientation toward process—staying in the match, staying in the work—rather than being defined by a single mistake or setback. “Until they get it right” frames excellence as iterative: champions are not those who never err, but those who continue adjusting, learning, and competing until performance meets the standard. Attributed to Billie Jean King, it also resonates with her broader public identity as a competitor and advocate who emphasized preparation, resilience, and the long game—qualities that apply beyond tennis to any craft requiring repeated practice under pressure.