Former tennis world number one, Martina Navrátilová, has announced that doctors have once again diagnosed her with an oncological disease. The 18-time Grand Slam singles champion faces a battle with breast and larynx cancer.
“It’s a double disaster, but recovery is possible. I believe in a positive outcome. I will fight with everything I have,” said Navrátilová, 66.
The 18-time Grand Slam champion, who previously had breast cancer in 2010, will begin treatment in New York later this month.
Everyone at BBC Sport wishes Martina a speedy and full recovery 💖
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— BBCSport (@BBCSport) January 2, 2023
Doctors uncovered two findings in the nine-time Wimbledon champion after a lymph node in her neck swollen after the Masters tournament in Fort Worth in November. According to her, both are in the early stages and the prognosis for recovery is excellent.
He will begin treatment next week, mainly in New York, and will miss the Australian Open, where he was expected to serve as a television pundit. “But I hope to participate by video call from time to time,” she added.
Navrátilová also suffered from breast cancer thirteen years ago when she defeated the disease. “When the doctors told me about her at that moment, I cried for about fifteen seconds. But then I asked the doctor, ‘Okay, what are we going to do and what’s the next step,'” recalled one of the most successful tennis players of all times. During that time she underwent surgery and subsequent chemotherapy, thanks to which she was able to continue to actively practice sports.
Of 59 Grand Slam titles, Navrátilová won 18 in singles (nine at Wimbledon, four at the US Open, three in Australia and two at the French Open), 31 in doubles and ten in mixed doubles. She was one of only three players in history to win all three categories, the only one in the open era. She spent a total of 332 weeks at the top of the world rankings.
She also holds a number of historic records, including the most WTA Championship titles in singles (167) and doubles (177). You have won the team Fed Cup four times: once for Czechoslovakia, three times already for the USA. The tennis Hall of Fame inductee ended her career in October 2006, shortly after she became the oldest Grand Slam winner in history at 50 thanks to her mixed triumph at the US Open.
In recent years, Navrátilová has commented on tennis, does charity work, fights for the rights of homosexuals, disadvantaged children and animals.
