Challenges Faced by Martina Navratilova: Obstacles and Turning Points

A closer look at the defining struggles that shaped Martina Navratilova's life and career.

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

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: Asylum in the United States

In 1975, at the age of 18, Martina Navratilova asked the United States for political asylum from Czechoslovakia and was granted temporary residence.

April 1981: Double Bagel Loss

In April 1981, Chris Evert defeated Martina Navratilova in the finals of the Women's Tennis Association championships, 6–0, 6–0, resulting in Martina Navratilova's only professional double bagel loss.

September 1982: Toxoplasmosis Attack and US Open Defeat

According to the New York Times, in September 1982, an acute attack of toxoplasmosis contributed to Martina Navratilova's defeat during the US Open tournament, where the No. 1 seed lost to No. 7 seed Pam Shriver in the quarterfinal round. By late October, Navratilova had recovered.

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.

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: 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.

1991: US Open Final Loss

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

1991: Split with Judy Nelson

In 1991, Martina Navratilova's split from Judy Nelson resulted in a televised palimony lawsuit, which was settled out of court.

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.

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.

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.

January 2010: Breast Cancer Diagnosis

In January 2010, Martina Navratilova's routine mammogram revealed a ductal carcinoma in situ in her left breast, leading to her diagnosis of breast cancer.

April 7, 2010: Announces Breast Cancer Diagnosis

On April 7, 2010, Martina Navratilova announced that she was being treated for breast cancer, which was discovered during a routine mammogram in January 2010. She underwent surgical removal of the tumor in March and received radiation therapy in May.

December 2010: Hospitalized for High Altitude Pulmonary Edema

In December 2010, Martina Navratilova was hospitalized after developing high altitude pulmonary edema while attempting to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.

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.

March 2019: Apology for "Cheating" Term

In March 2019, Martina Navratilova apologized for using the term "cheating" in the context of transgender athletes competing in women's sports, advocating for a science-based debate.

April 2019: Op-Ed on the Equality Act

In April 2019, Martina Navratilova wrote an article for The Washington Post expressing her opinion that the Equality Act, as it was currently written, would make it unlawful to differentiate between girls and women in sports based on sex for any purpose.

June 2019: BBC Broadcast on Transgender Athletes

In June 2019, the BBC broadcast "The Trans Women Athlete Dispute with Martina Navratilova," featuring interviews with trans women athletes and sports researchers, exploring the debate on whether trans women have an advantage in elite sports.

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August 2020: Letter to NCAA on Transgender Athletes

In August 2020, Martina Navratilova, along with over 300 women, signed a letter to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) supporting an Idaho law that bans trans women student-athletes from competing in female sports.

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.

January 2023: Diagnosed with Throat and Breast Cancer

In January 2023, Martina Navratilova was diagnosed with both throat (stage one) and breast cancer after discovering a swollen lymph node on her neck.

April 2023: Support for Nike Boycott

In April 2023, Martina Navratilova supported a boycott of Nike after the company partnered with Dylan Mulvaney, a transgender woman, to advertise a sports bra.

October 2023: Criticism of Deb Haaland's Interview

In October 2023, Martina Navratilova criticized US Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland's interview with drag queen Pattie Gonia at the Stonewall National Monument, calling the performer a "pathetic parody of women."

2024: Criticism of IOC's Decision

In 2024, Martina Navratilova condemned the IOC for allowing women boxers Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting to compete in the 2024 Summer Olympics, despite a lack of evidence supporting claims they are biological males.