Southeast : RETURNING KING

Tennis superstar Billie Jean King volleyed her first tennis ball on a Long Beach court as a youngster. Today, the Chicago tennis player returns to Long Beach to conduct an instructional clinic and pick up an honorary key to the city.

“I love Long Beach,” said King, a graduate of Long Beach Polytechnic High School. “It’s always great to come back.”

As a youngster, King often rode her black-and-white bicycle to Long Beach parks to practice serves and returns.

Today’s activities will begin at 5 p.m. at the Billie Jean King Tennis Center, 1040 E. Park Ave. King will be presented with a key to the city in a brief ceremony. The free clinic will run from 6 to 7 p.m.; mandatory registration for the instruction begins at 4:30 p.m.