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, a Czech-American former professional tennis player, achieved remarkable success, holding the world No. 1 singles ranking for 332 weeks and No. 1 in doubles for a record 237 weeks. She boasts an Open Era record of 59 major titles: 18 in singles, 31 in women's doubles, and 10 in mixed doubles. Her nine Wimbledon singles titles are an all-time record. Navratilova, along with rival Chris Evert, dominated women's tennis during the 1980s.

Sections (7)

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

1948: Coup d'état in Czechoslovakia

Navratilova referenced the 1948 coup d'état in Czechoslovakia to draw comparisons to the US.

October 18, 1956: Martina Navratilova Born

On October 18, 1956, Martina Navratilova, originally named Martina Šubertová, was born in Czechoslovakia. She would later become a Czech-American professional tennis player.

1962: Mother's Remarriage

In 1962, Martina Navratilova's mother, Jana, remarried Miroslav Navrátil, who became Martina's first tennis coach. Martina then took her stepfather's name, becoming Martina Navrátilová.

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 also defected from communist Czechoslovakia to the United States, seeking political asylum.

1975: Asylum in the United States

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

July 30, 1981: Coming Out as Bisexual

On July 30, 1981, the New York Daily News published an article where Navratilova came out as bisexual, revealing her relationship with Rita Mae Brown. She had previously asked the reporter to delay publication.

1981: Became a US Citizen

In 1981, Martina Navratilova became a US citizen, after receiving a green card within a month after requesting to defect from Czechoslovakia in 1975.

1981: US Citizenship

In 1981, Martina Navratilova became a citizen of the United States.

September 1982: Defeat during US Open Tournament

In September 1982, according to the New York Times, an acute attack of toxoplasmosis "contributed to Martina Navratilova's defeat during the US Open tournament", in which No. 1 seed Navratilova unexpectedly lost to No. 7 seed Pam Shriver in the quarterfinal round.

1982: Co-writes Tennis Instruction Book

In 1982, Navratilova co-wrote a tennis instruction book with Mary Carillo, titled "Tennis My Way".

Tennis My Way

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1984: Vision Deterioration

In 1984, Navratilova's vision began to deteriorate.

1985: Starts Wearing Glasses

In 1985, Navratilova began to wear glasses after her vision started to deteriorate.

1985: Publishes Autobiography

In 1985, Navratilova released her autobiography, co-written with George Vecsey, titled "Martina" in the U.S. and "Being Myself" elsewhere.

Martina

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1992: Lawsuit Against Amendment 2

In 1992, Navratilova participated in a lawsuit against Amendment 2, a successful ballot proposition in Colorado designed to prevent sexual orientation from being a protected class.

1993: Speaks at March on Washington

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

1994: Publishes First Mystery Novel

In 1994, Navratilova co-authored her first mystery novel with Liz Nickles, titled "The Total Zone".

The Total Zone

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1994: Wimbledon Final and Retirement

In 1994, at age 37, Navratilova reached the Wimbledon final, losing to Conchita Martínez. She retired from full-time singles competition after losing to Gabriela Sabatini at the WTA Tour Championships.

1996: Publishes Second Mystery Novel

In 1996, Navratilova co-authored her second mystery novel with Liz Nickles, titled "Breaking Point".

1997: Publishes Third Mystery Novel

In 1997, Navratilova co-authored her third mystery novel with Liz Nickles, titled "Killer Instinct".

April 2006: Resumes Eating Fish

In an April 2006 interview, Navratilova mentioned she started eating fish again to ensure enough protein intake while traveling, after having described herself as a vegetarian.

July 6, 2006: Last Matches at Wimbledon

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

2006: Publishes Health and Fitness Book

In 2006, Navratilova released a health and fitness book titled "Shape Your Self".

Shape Your Self: My 6-Step Diet and Fitness Plan to Achieve the Best Shape of Your Life

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January 9, 2008: Reacquired Czech Citizenship

On January 9, 2008, Martina Navratilova reacquired Czech citizenship, becoming a dual citizen of both the Czech Republic and the United States.

January 2010: Mammogram Reveals Cancer

In January 2010, a routine mammogram revealed that Navratilova had a ductal carcinoma in situ in her left breast.

April 7, 2010: Announces Breast Cancer Diagnosis

On April 7, 2010, Navratilova announced that she was being treated for breast cancer after a routine mammogram in January 2010 revealed a ductal carcinoma in situ in her left breast.

December 2010: Hospitalized with Pulmonary Edema

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

September 6, 2014: Proposes to Julia Lemigova

On September 6, 2014, Navratilova proposed to her long-time girlfriend Julia Lemigova at the US Open.

December 15, 2014: Marriage to Julia Lemigova

On December 15, 2014, Navratilova married Julia Lemigova in New York.

May 12, 2016: Honorary Fellow of Lucy Cavendish College

On May 12, 2016, Martina Navratilova was made an honorary fellow of Lucy Cavendish College of the University of Cambridge.

February 2019: Removed from Athlete Ally Advisory Board

Following an article on transgender women in sports that Navratilova wrote for The Times in February 2019, Athlete Ally, an LGBTQ athlete advocacy group, removed Navratilova from their advisory board due to her transphobic comments.