Martina Navratilova

Martina Navratilova, hailed by Billie Jean King as “the greatest singles, doubles, and mixed doubles player who’s ever lived,” revolutionized women’s tennis with her unparalleled skills. She defected from communist Czechoslovakia in 1975 and went on to win a remarkable 59 Grand Slam titles, including 18 singles and a record nine Wimbledon singles titles. Her career spanned 33 years, during which she collected 354 titles and maintained a legendary rivalry with Chris Evert. Since retiring, Martina has become a sought-after speaker, advocating for women’s rights, LGBTQ+ issues, and health awareness. She has authored several books, including her autobiography "Martina Navratilova: Being Myself (1985), “Crisis: 40 Stories Revealing the Personal, Social and Religious Pain and Trauma of Growing up Gay in America” (2008), and mystery thrillers featuring fictional former tennis champion Jordan Myles, “The Total Zone” (1995), “Killer Instinct” (1995) and “Breaking Point” (1996). Notable accolades include multiple Player of the Year awards and the prestigious Philippe Chatrier Award. Martina has forged a career in other fields, providing articulate, intelligent, and sometimes outspoken commentary on the Tennis Channel, the BBC’s Wimbledon coverage, and SKY Sports. Currently, she resides on a small farm in Florida with her wife and pets, continuing to inspire through her activism and remaining close to the sport of tennis.