Billie Jean King Graduates from College at 82, Tennis Icon First Enrolled at Cal State LA In 1961

Tennis legend Billie Jean King officially graduated from Cal State Los Angeles on Monday at the age of 82.

King received a bachelor's degree in history from the college she first attended back in 1961. After walking across the stage in triumph, King said, "It's never too late, whatever age you are, whatever your abilities are, go for it if you want it," per Beth Harris of the Associated Press.

According to Cicero A. Estrella of Cal State LA's official website, King addressed her fellow graduates as well, adding, "More than 60 years have passed before I returned to the classroom to complete my degree in history. Talk about delayed gratification, and I came back with a purpose. I had unfinished business, and it is important to me to finish what I started. I like completing things. It's like shaking hands at the net after a match."

As a 12-time Grand Slam singles champion (including six Wimbledons and five U.S. Opens) and 16-time Grand Slam doubles champ, King is widely regarded as one of the greatest tennis players of all time.

She famously beat Bobby Riggs in the "Battle of the Sexes" in 1973, paving the way for greater equality among men and women in tennis and the sports world in general.