Career Timeline of Martina Navratilova: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Martina Navratilova made an impact.

Martina Navratilova is a Czech-American former professional tennis player, widely regarded as one of the sport's all-time greats. She held the world No. 1 ranking in singles for 332 weeks and in doubles for a record 237 weeks. Navratilova amassed 167 top-level singles titles and 177 doubles titles, including a record 59 major titles in the Open Era: 18 in singles, 31 in women's doubles, and 10 in mixed doubles. Notably, she holds the all-time record of nine Wimbledon singles titles. Her rivalry with Chris Evert defined women's tennis throughout much of the 1980s.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

1968: Winning Percentage

In 1983, Martina Navratilova's winning percentage was the best ever for a post-1968 professional tennis player.

1972: Czechoslovakia National Tennis Championship Win

In 1972, at the age of 15, Martina Navratilova won the Czechoslovakia national tennis championship.

1973: Debut on the United States Lawn Tennis Association professional tour

In 1973, at the age of 16, Martina Navratilova debuted on the United States Lawn Tennis Association professional tour. She reached the quarterfinals at the French Open.

1974: First Professional Singles Title

In 1974, at the age of 17, Martina Navratilova won her first professional singles title in Orlando, Florida.

1974: First Major Title in 1974

Martina Navratilova won her first major title in 1974, 32 years before her last major title in 2006.

1975: Runner-Up at Major Tournaments and Defection

In 1975, Martina Navratilova was the runner-up at the Australian Open and the French Open. She defected from communist Czechoslovakia after the US Open.

1975: Turning Professional in 1975

Martina Navratilova did not turn professional on the United States Lawn Tennis Association professional tour until 1975.

1976: Wimbledon Women's Doubles Title

In 1976, Martina Navratilova teamed with Chris Evert to win the Wimbledon women's doubles title.

1977: Ranked in World's Top 3

From 1977 to 1993, Martina Navratilova was ranked in the world's top 3 in singles for 15 years.

1978: First Major Singles Title at Wimbledon in 1978

In 1978, Martina Navratilova won her first major singles title at Wimbledon, defeating Chris Evert in three sets. She also captured the world No. 1 ranking for the first time.

January 1979: Losing the No. 1 Ranking in January 1979

In January 1979, Chris Evert took back the world No. 1 ranking from Martina Navratilova.

1979: Defending Wimbledon Title in 1979

In 1979, Martina Navratilova successfully defended her Wimbledon title, again beating Chris Evert in the final. She earned the World No. 1 ranking at the end of the year.

1980: Defeating Billie Jean King at Wimbledon in 1980

In 1980, Martina Navratilova defeated six-time Wimbledon champion Billie Jean King in the quarterfinals.

1981: Coached by Renée Richards

In 1981, Renée Richards became one of Martina Navratilova's coaches, a relationship that lasted until 1983.

1982: Wimbledon Finals

From 1982 through 1990, Martina Navratilova reached the Wimbledon final nine consecutive times.

1982: Dominance from 1982-1986

From 1982 to 1986, Martina Navratilova had a dominant reign, losing a total of only six singles matches and securing 13 consecutive victories over Chris Evert.

1982: Wimbledon and French Open Victories

In 1982, Martina Navratilova won both Wimbledon and the French Open.

1983: Doubles Winning Streak

From 1983 to 1985, Martina Navratilova had a 109-match winning streak in women's doubles, partnering with Pam Shriver

1983: Domination in 1983

In 1983, Martina Navratilova achieved an impressive 86–1 record, marking the best professional season winning percentage at 98.8%. She also began a winning streak of 74 straight matches.

1983: Appearance in Hart to Hart episode "Love Game"

In 1983, Martina Navratilova appeared as herself in the Hart to Hart episode "Love Game", partnering with Jonathan Hart in a mixed doubles match at a charity tennis event.

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1983: US Open Title and Career Grand Slam

In 1983, Martina Navratilova won the US Open title, completing the career Grand Slam and becoming only the seventh woman in history to achieve this feat.

1983: Coaching Changes

In 1983, Mike Estep replaced Renée Richards as Martina Navratilova's coach, a role he held until 1986.

1984: Dominance from 1982-1986

From 1982 to 1986, Martina Navratilova had a dominant reign, losing a total of only six singles matches and securing 13 consecutive victories over Chris Evert.

1984: Calendar Grand Slam in Women's Doubles

In 1984, Martina Navratilova completed a calendar Grand Slam in women's doubles with Pam Shriver, part of a record 109-match winning streak between 1983 and 1985.

1984: Grand Slam in Doubles and Consecutive Singles Majors

In 1984, Martina Navratilova continued her dominance by winning a record six consecutive singles majors and achieving the Grand Slam in doubles.

1984: Holding All Four Major Singles Titles Simultaneously

In 1984, Martina Navratilova won the French Open, holding all four major singles titles simultaneously. She became the first player to win majors on clay, grass and hard court on the same year, but her winning streak of 74 matches was ended at the Australian Open.

1985: Doubles Winning Streak

From 1983 to 1985, Martina Navratilova had a 109-match winning streak in women's doubles, partnering with Pam Shriver

1985: French Open Final Against Chris Evert

In 1985, Martina Navratilova played against Chris Evert in the French Open final, considered one of the best women's matches of all time. Evert defeated Navratilova 6–3, 6–7, 7–5.

1986: Dominance from 1982-1986

From 1982 to 1986, Martina Navratilova had a dominant reign, losing a total of only six singles matches and securing 13 consecutive victories over Chris Evert.

1986: 1986 US Open

In 1986, Martina Navratilova defeated Steffi Graf in the US Open semifinals, saving three match points and then won the final against Helena Suková. She also won the women's doubles title with Pam Shriver. Navratilova also defeated Graf in straight sets at the WTA Tour Championship and with an 89–3 record, earned the number-one ranking for the fifth consecutive year.

1986: Coaching Changes

In 1986, Mike Estep's tenure as Martina Navratilova's coach ended.

1987: Reached all Grand Slam Finals 1985-1987

From 1985 through 1987, Martina Navratilova reached the women's singles final at all 11 major tournaments held during those three years, winning six of them.

1987: 1987 Season

In 1987, Graf dominated the first half of the season, defeating Navratilova in the Miami Open and French Open finals. However, Navratilova defeated Graf in the finals of Wimbledon and the US Open. Navratilova reached all four Grand Slam finals, winning two of them, and obtained year-end world No. 2 ranking behind Graf.

1988: Craig Kardon becomes coach

In 1988, Craig Kardon began coaching Martina Navratilova, a partnership that continued until 1994.

1988: Graf's Grand Slam and Wimbledon Final

In 1988, Steffi Graf won all four major singles titles, including defeating Martina Navratilova in the Wimbledon final. Navratilova won nine tournaments and claimed the No. 2 ranking behind Graf.

1989: Rivalry with Graf

In 1989, Martina Navratilova faced Steffi Graf in the finals of Wimbledon and the US Open, losing both matches. She also lost to Graf in the WTA Tour Championships final. Despite these losses, Navratilova secured eight titles and maintained the No. 2 ranking behind Graf for the third consecutive year.

1990: Wimbledon Finals

From 1982 through 1990, Martina Navratilova reached the Wimbledon final nine consecutive times.

1990: Last Major Singles Title

In 1990, Martina Navratilova won her last major singles title at Wimbledon.

1990: Continued Wimbledon Dominance Until 1990

Martina Navratilova reached the Wimbledon singles final for nine consecutive years, from 1982 until 1990.

1991: US Open Final Loss

In 1991, Martina Navratilova lost in the US Open final to Monica Seles.

1991: Defeats Graf at US Open

In 1991, at the age of 34, Martina Navratilova defeated Steffi Graf in the semifinals of the US Open, marking the last time they played in a major tournament. Navratilova won the match 7–6, 6–7, 6–4, ending their Grand Slam rivalry with a 5-4 lead.

September 1992: Battle of the Sexes Match

In September 1992, Martina Navratilova, aged 35, participated in the third Battle of the Sexes tennis match against 40-year-old Jimmy Connors at Caesars Palace in Paradise, Nevada. Connors won the match 7–5, 6–2, with adjusted rules allowing Connors only one serve per point and Navratilova to hit into half the doubles court.

1992: Lawsuit Against Amendment 2

In 1992, Martina Navratilova participated in a lawsuit against Amendment 2, a ballot proposition in Colorado that prevented sexual orientation from being a protected class.

1992: Mention in Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon

In 1992, Martina Navratilova was mentioned by the titular character in episode 14 of the anime Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon.

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1993: Ranked in World's Top 3

From 1977 to 1993, Martina Navratilova was ranked in the world's top 3 in singles for 15 years.

1993: Speaks at March on Washington

In 1993, Martina Navratilova spoke before the March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay and Bi Equal Rights and Liberation.

1994: Wimbledon Final

In 1994, at the age of 37, Martina Navratilova reached the Wimbledon final, where she lost to Conchita Martínez in three sets. She retired from full-time singles competition after losing to Gabriela Sabatini in the first round of the WTA Tour Championships in November.

1994: End of Coaching Relationship with Craig Kardon

In 1994, the coaching relationship between Martina Navratilova and Craig Kardon ended.

1996: PowerBook Endorsement

In 1996, Martina Navratilova was featured with Art Monk in an endorsement for PowerBook in the "What's on Your PowerBook?" ad series.

2000: Appearance on Will & Grace

In 2000, Martina Navratilova appeared as herself on Will & Grace in the "Lows in the Mid-Eighties" episode, portraying one of Karen Walker's paramours in a flashback.

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2000: Member of Laureus Sports Foundation's Academy

In 2000, Martina Navratilova became a member of the Laureus Sports Foundation's Academy.

2000: Returns to the Tour

In 2000, Martina Navratilova returned to the tour, focusing mostly on doubles events while occasionally playing singles.

2000: National Equality Award

In 2000, Martina Navratilova was the recipient of the National Equality Award from the Human Rights Campaign.

2002: Singles Performance at Eastbourne

In 2002, Martina Navratilova returned to singles play at Eastbourne after eight years, defeating world No. 22, Tatiana Panova, before losing in the next round to Daniela Hantuchová.

2003: Mixed Doubles Titles at Australian Open and Wimbledon

In 2003, Martina Navratilova, partnering with Leander Paes, won the mixed doubles titles at both the Australian Open and Wimbledon. This made her the oldest major champion and the third player to complete a "boxed set" of major titles. She equaled Billie Jean King's record of 20 Wimbledon titles and extended her overall major titles to 58.

2004: Return to Singles at French Open

In 2004, Martina Navratilova returned to singles play at the French Open after a 10-year absence, but she was defeated by Gisela Dulko in the first round. Despite criticism, she won a singles match at Wimbledon against Catalina Castaño, becoming the oldest player to win a professional singles match in the open era, before losing to Gisela Dulko in the second round.

July 6, 2006: Last Matches at Wimbledon

On July 6, 2006, Martina Navratilova played her last matches at Wimbledon. She and her partner Liezel Huber lost in the women's doubles quarterfinal, and later in the same day, she and partner Mark Knowles lost in the third round of mixed doubles.

August 21, 2006: Last Title in Women's Doubles

On August 21, 2006, Martina Navratilova won her last title in women's doubles at the Tier I Rogers Cup in Montreal, Quebec, partnering with Nadia Petrova.

2006: US Open Mixed Doubles Title

In 2006, Martina Navratilova capped her career by winning the mixed doubles title at the US Open with Bob Bryan, marking her 41st major doubles title and 177th overall. At nearly 50 years old, she broke her own record as the oldest major champion. She also won her last title in women's doubles on August 21, 2006, at the Rogers Cup in Montreal with Nadia Petrova.

2006: Last Major Title at US Open

In 2006, Martina Navratilova won her last major title by claiming the mixed doubles crown at the US Open, shortly before her 50th birthday.

November 2008: I'm a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here!

In November 2008, Martina Navratilova appeared on the UK's ITV series I'm a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here! Series 8, finishing as runner-up to Joe Swash.

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2009: Philippe Chatrier Award

In 2009, Martina Navratilova was awarded the International Tennis Federation's (ITF) highest accolade, the Philippe Chatrier Award, for her contributions to tennis both on and off the court.

2009: Plays for Boston Lobsters

Throughout the 2009 season, Martina Navratilova played for the Boston Lobsters in the World TeamTennis pro league.

February 2012: Dancing with the Stars

In February 2012, Martina Navratilova was a cast member on the 14th season of ABC's Dancing with the Stars, partnered with Tony Dovolani, but they were the first pair eliminated.

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December 2014: Joins Radwańska's coaching staff

In December 2014, Martina Navratilova joined Agnieszka Radwańska's coaching staff.

April 2015: Part Ways with Radwańska

In April 2015, Martina Navratilova and Agnieszka Radwańska decided to part ways after Radwańska struggled in the first half of the season.

2018: Documentary Development

In 2018, it was reported that Glenn Greenwald was developing a feature-length documentary about Martina Navratilova with Reese Witherspoon's production company, Hello Sunshine.

2019: Recurring Role in The Politician

In 2019, Martina Navratilova had a recurring role portraying Brigitte, a horse trainer, in the Netflix series, The Politician.

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2021: Leader of Women's Sports Policy Working Group

In 2021, Martina Navratilova became a leader of the Women's Sports Policy Working Group, formed in response to US President Joe Biden's Executive Order 13988, with the goal of protecting women in sports while accommodating trans athletes.

2024: Documentary Filming Confirmation

During an interview at the Salesforce World Tour London 2024 event, Martina Navratilova confirmed that a documentary was currently being filmed with her and Chris Evert.