Early Life and Education of Martina Navratilova: A Complete Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Martina Navratilova. A timeline of key moments.

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

October 18, 1956: Martina Navratilova's Birth

On October 18, 1956, Martina Navratilova, née Šubertová, was born in Czechoslovakia. She became one of the most successful tennis players of all time, holding the world No. 1 ranking in women's singles for 332 weeks.

1962: Mother's Remarriage in 1962

In 1962, Martina Navratilova's mother, Jana, married Miroslav Navrátil, who became Martina's first tennis coach. Martina then took the name of her stepfather.

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.

July 30, 1981: Article Published

On July 30, 1981, the New York Daily News published an article where Martina Navratilova came out as bisexual, revealing her sexual relationship with Rita Mae Brown, despite her request to delay the publication.

1981: Becoming a US Citizen and Coming Out

In 1981, Martina Navratilova became a US citizen and also openly came out as gay.

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.

1984: Vision Deterioration

In 1984, Martina Navratilova recalled that her vision had begun to deteriorate, leading her to wear glasses the following year.

1985: Starts Wearing Glasses

Martina Navratilova began wearing glasses in 1985 for tennis due to deteriorating vision.

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.

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.

2000: National Equality Award

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

April 2006: Eats Fish Again

In an April 2006 interview, Martina Navratilova mentioned that she had started eating fish again as she found it hard to get enough protein while on the road as a vegetarian.

January 9, 2008: Reacquiring Czech Citizenship on January 9, 2008

On January 9, 2008, Martina Navratilova reacquired Czech citizenship, becoming a dual citizen, while maintaining her US citizenship.

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.