Maria Sharapova participated in the ESPN show "Homecoming with Rick Reilly", that features Tennis legend and Long Beach native Billie Jean King. The one-on-one interview took place at the Billie Jean King Tennis Center in Long Beach.

The show brings athletes back to the towns where their careers began and Billie Jean as its first female to be featured. The show was taped and will debut on ESPN on July 3.

Sharapova told a story about seeing Kim at one tournament before the Wimbledon where she was with her parents and then being shocked when King came over to chat.

"It was a crazy scene, with parents and kids running all over the place," Sharapova said. "I just thought it was amazing that she would take the time to talk to my parents when I was a 13-year-old kid."

Sharapova also remembers she received a text message from Billie Jean as she prepared to play in her first Grand Slam final, the Australian Open.

"She wrote that it was a privilege to have the pressure that comes from the event, and to embrace it," she said. "It was the first thing I said after the match when people asked me how it felt."



(via Press Telegram)

Photos: Maria Sharapova at Billie Jean King’s “Homecoming”