Martina Navratilova
.jpg) Navratilova at the Eastbourne International, June 2011 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 18, 1956 Prague, Czechoslovakia |
| Sport | |
| Sport | Tennis |
| Turned pro | 1974 |
| Retired | 2006 |
| Updated on 19 August 2025. | |
Biography
Martina Navratilova, born on October 18, 1956, in Prague, Czechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic), is widely regarded as one of the greatest tennis players of all time. Known for her powerful serve-and-volley game, relentless fitness, and unmatched versatility, Navratilova revolutionized women’s tennis during a career that spanned over four decades.
She began playing tennis at a young age and quickly rose through the ranks in her home country. In 1975, at just 18, Navratilova defected to the United States, seeking freedom from the restrictive communist regime. She became a U.S. citizen in 1981 and, over the years, became a vocal advocate for human rights, equality, and LGBTQ+ issues.
On the court, Navratilova's achievements are staggering. She won 18 Grand Slam singles titles, 31 Grand Slam doubles titles, and 10 Grand Slam mixed doubles titles — a total of 59 major titles, the most in the Open Era. Her dominance in the 1980s, especially her fierce rivalry with Chris Evert, helped elevate the global popularity of women’s tennis. Navratilova spent a record 332 weeks as the world No. 1 in singles and 237 weeks as No. 1 in doubles — the only player in history to have held both rankings simultaneously.
Beyond her athleticism, Navratilova broke barriers. She was one of the first openly gay athletes in professional sports, coming out in the early 1980s. Her courage helped pave the way for greater acceptance and visibility for LGBTQ+ athletes.
Since retiring from professional play, Navratilova has remained a prominent voice in tennis as a coach, commentator, and advocate. Her legacy is not only defined by titles but also by her resilience, activism, and impact on and off the court. She stands as a trailblazer and icon in both sport and society.
TV (likes)
BBC's Desert Island Discs (2012)
- Bad Romance - Lady Gaga
- L’amour est un oiseau rebelle - Maria Callas with the Orchestra of the National Theatre of the Opera in Paris, conducted by Georges Prêtre
- Dancing Queen - ABBA
- Nessun dorma - Luciano Pavarotti with the London Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Zubin Mehta
- Love is Here to Stay - Ella Fitzgerald
- Crying - k.d. lang
- Vltava from Ma Vlast – My Homeland - Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra
- Un bel di vedremo - Maria Callas [1]
Literature (dislikes)
Miscellaneous
- The Fountainhead - Ayn Rand [1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Martina Navratilova". Desert Island Discs. 8 July 2012. BBC.