Sundance 2026: Billie Jean King vs the World in ‘Give Me the Ball!’ Doc

by Alex Billington
January 28, 2026

How does someone actually change the world? This is how. This remarkable story explains everything. One of the most rousing and exciting documentaries playing at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival is called Give Me the Ball! – a biopic profile of the life and achievements of one Billie Jean King. Everyone knows who she is already because she’s already world famous and has already been the subject of many other docs and movies – including the Battle of the Sexes movie (from 2017) in which Emma Stone starred as Billie Jean King. This brand new doc film, produced by ESPN and 30 for 30, is the definitive life story of this tennis maven & feminist superstar and how she actually did change the world by conquering the tennis court. I was lucky to be in attendance at the world premiere of Give Me the Ball! at Sundance – it was an unforgettable experience, especially because Billie herself was there to join the Q&A after. She’s now 82 years old yet she hit some tennis balls way out into the audience – an impressive feat in the giant Eccles Theatre at Sundance.

Give Me the Ball! is co-directed by the talented doc filmmakers Liz Garbus (also director of Bobby Fischer Against the World, Love Marilyn, What Happened Miss Simone?, Becoming Cousteau, and many others) and Elizabeth Wolff (making her feature directorial debut after directing on “I’ll Be Gone in the Dark”). The title comes directly from an interview segment early in the film where Billie Jean King is describing her initial interest in sports saying that all she wanted to do was play any sport involving balls: she exclaims to just “give me the ball!” This fascinating, energetic, upbeat, and massively inspiring documentary features an amusing modern day Billie Jean King interview that they revisit throughout the entire film. Along with an endless amount of archival footage, old photos, TV footage, appearances galore, and other interviews with her friends, colleagues, and various tennis champions. The narrative structure is somewhat basic in that it takes us through her life story from start to finish; focusing on the year 1973 when the iconic “Battles of the Sexes” event took place, and beyond, when she came out of the closet then married her partner Ilana Kloss.

Even though this movie follows the standard linear biopic doc flow, Billie Jean King herself is anything but standard. And that’s what makes this film so awesome. Hearing her tell her own story from start to finish, seeing all of the incredible footage over decades, and most importantly, hearing & seeing how her desire to change the world and evolve society really did happen is extraordinarily moving. From an early age, Billie’s goal was to fight for women’s liberation and equality. And she knew it would take years of hard work and that her accomplishments on & off the tennis court were meant to help future generations, not only her & her friends at the time. This stunning film actually takes the time and to show how this happened and make all the connections. It’s not just a story about Billie’s life – it’s also a story about how someone can actually influence society. It spends a good amount of time with Billie discussing what was truly necessary, including sponsorship deals, ultimatums, and bold steps forward in solidarity that would set a precedent for women in sports and equal pay & fairness for women in sports. Then came her battle with the asshole Bobby Riggs, which solidified all that she was working towards turning it into a historic moment for women everywhere.

What is so inspiring and gratifying about watching this doc is that Billie Jean King is still as energetic and motivated as ever. In her contemporary interview in the film, she speaks with as much confidence and fervor as she did when she was conquering the tennis courts in the 1960s & 1970s. She understands what it actually takes to really make positive difference in the world and she makes everyone who meets her feel as if they can do it, too. That comes across vividly in this doc. The audience at Sundance was so wrapped up in it that they were breaking out into full-on cheers during every major victorious moment in her life. And that right there is the real, glorious, invigorating power of great documentary filmmaking. And also the power of Billie Jean King and her won’t-take-no-for-answer drive to make the world better. Even when she was exhausted, even at the worst times of her life, she picked up her tennis racket and went out there to show people what’s possible when you believe in yourself and believe in change. There’s nothing more inspiring than that. They should be showing this film to every young generation growing up, teaching them about this American icon.

Alex’s Sundance 2026 Rating: 9 out of 10
Follow Alex on Twitter – @firstshowing / Or Letterboxd – @firstshowing

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