“Pressure is a privilege.”

Those three words have travelled far beyond tennis.

Billie Jean King first said them as one of the greatest athletes of all time: a 39-time Grand Slam champion, a trailblazer for equality, and someone who knew what it meant to step into high-stakes moments with the world watching.

She reframed pressure not as something to fear, but as a signal that you’re doing something that matters.

That reframe just showed up again in the words of 17-year-old Blake Dowdall, this year’s NZ Formula Ford Champion.

Blake’s been chosen for a UK test drive with Rodin Motorsport, part of a new initiative between Rodin and Motorsport New Zealand to create a clearer path from grassroots to Formula 1.

When asked how it felt, Blake simply said:

“Pressure is a privilege… man, I’m looking forward to it.”

How good is that? 

Pressure means the moment matters. It means you’re in the arena. 

Whether you’re stepping into a boardroom, a negotiation, or up to a microphone, remember:

👉 Pressure is a privilege.