“The ball doesn’t know how old I am” – Martina Navratilova Story
Consider this list, what do you see?
Eamon Coughlan ran the mile in 3:58:15 at 41 years
Dara Torres won three Silver medals at Olympics at the age of 41
Yekaterina Podkopayeva won the olympic 1500m final at 42 years
Sean Yates won the national 50-mile time-trial title at the age of 45 years
Ed Whitlock ran under 3hr for the marathon aged 73 years
Sister Madonna Buder completed 45 Ironman events aged 84 years
Hiroo Tanaka, from Japan, ran the 100 metres in 15.19 seconds aged 85 years.
What I see is that although performance declines with age, age itself is no barrier to success. You can probably be nationally competitive at 50 years….provided you don’t begin training at 45 years! What I am trying to say, is that in my opinion training and historical habits and current daily habits count more than simple age. Age is a number. You can almost ignore it.
Martina’s Story Behind the Iron Curtain
In the 1960s and 1970s, Martina Navratilova’s journey into tennis began in an unexpected setting — a red-clay tennis court in the yard of her family home in Czechoslovakia. The Communists had left the court when they seized her family’s land, unknowingly planting the seed for a future tennis legend. Growing up in a country where sports were heavily emphasized, Navratilova was surrounded by the influence of her athletic grandmother, Agnes Semanska, a former national tennis player herself.Martina’s early years were marked by athleticism and tenacity. At just four years old, she was hitting tennis balls against a wall with her grandmother’s old racket, demonstrating a natural affinity for the sport. Her father, recognizing her potential, encouraged her burgeoning passion, balancing rigorous training with the joy of playing.
Martina’s Early Years in Czechoslovakia
Martina Navratilova (USA, b. Czechoslovakia, 18 October 1956) spent her childhood in the scenic Krkonose Mountains with her mother, Jana, a ski instructor, and her father, Miroslav, who worked with the ski patrol. Her parents divorced when she was three, and Martina moved with her mother to Jana’s childhood home, which had been converted into apartments by the government. She seldom saw her biological father, who tragically passed away when Martina was nine.Despite these challenges, Martina found joy in sports. Depending on the season, she played hockey in the winter and tennis in the summer. It was during these summer sessions at the public courts that Martina’s mother met Mirek Navratil, the best tennis player in town. The couple married when Martina was six, with Mirek stepping in as a supportive stepfather who would later become her first formal tennis coach.Martina’s love for tennis was apparent from a young age. She spent countless hours hitting tennis balls against a wall while her parents played. Her dreams of Wimbledon began at seven when she watched it on television for the first time. Mirek nurtured these dreams, providing lessons that encouraged her aggressive play style and emphasized the joy of the game.At the age of nine, Martina’s stepfather took her to Prague to try out for the renowned coach George Parma. Equipped with a secondhand wooden racket, Martina impressed Parma, who agreed to give her weekly lessons. The journey to Prague involved a train ride, a streetcar, and a walk, but Martina was unfazed, dedicated to honing her skills under Parma’s guidance until 1968 when Soviet forces invaded Czechoslovakia, interrupting her lessons as Parma did not return from Austria.
Tennis as a Pathway to Freedom
Tennis became a source of confidence for Martina, helping her overcome self-consciousness about her appearance and providing an outlet for her outspoken nature, which often made her an outsider at school. The sport also offered her a rare opportunity to travel beyond the Iron Curtain, fueling her interest in geography and her desire for freedom.At 12, Martina traveled to West Germany for a tournament, her first glimpse of a more open society. The experience was eye-opening; she marveled at the freedom of expression, the abundance of cars and televisions, and even small luxuries like felt-tip pens, which were scarce in Czechoslovakia.As she continued to excel in tennis, the Czech Tennis Federation invited her to join the prestigious Sparta Sports Club in Prague. Her national title win at a young age drew government attention, leading to pressure to join the Communist Party and influence her peers.
Shaping Her Game: The Influence of George Parma
Martina’s talent did not go unnoticed. At the age of nine, she was introduced to George Parma, a Czech tennis champion who would become her coach and mentor. Parma’s influence was pivotal — he encouraged Martina to switch from a two-handed to a one-handed backhand, enhancing her reach and volleying ability. Under his guidance, she developed a strategic approach to the game and honed her psychological resilience, essential traits that would define her career.The Communist regime’s focus on sports provided Martina with opportunities to train and compete, laying a solid foundation for her future success. Despite the political tension and societal challenges, Martina’s dedication to tennis never wavered. Even during the Soviet crackdown on the Prague Spring in 1968, her resolve only strengthened, fueling her desire to escape and succeed.
Defection and New Beginnings
In 1975, Martina made the life-altering decision to defect to the United States. It was a bold move driven by her aspiration for freedom and a chance to reach her full potential in tennis. The transition was challenging, and she faced cultural and personal obstacles as she adapted to life in America. However, her determination was unwavering. Martina embraced the rigorous demands of professional tennis, focusing on physical fitness, nutrition, and technical prowess.Her rivalry with American sweetheart Chris Evert became legendary. Their contrasting styles captivated audiences and elevated women’s tennis to new heights. Martina’s aggressive serve-and-volley game was revolutionary, challenging norms and inspiring future generations of players.
Achievements and Lasting Legacy
Martina Navratilova’s career is a testament to her extraordinary talent and perseverance. With a record 167 singles championships and nine Wimbledon titles, she dominated the sport throughout the 1980s. Her influence extended beyond the court; Martina was a trailblazer in fitness and nutrition, advocating for cross-training and scientific approaches to athleticism.Her candidness and advocacy further cemented her status as a global icon. Martina was never afraid to speak her mind, whether discussing her game or broader social issues. As Chris Evert noted, Martina transcended the sport, becoming a world figure known for her wisdom and maturity.Martina Navratilova’s story is not only about her unparalleled achievements in tennis but also about resilience, identity, and the pursuit of authenticity. Her journey from a small village in Czechoslovakia to becoming an American sports legend is a powerful narrative of courage and self-discovery. Through her revolutionary playing style and outspoken nature, Martina left an indelible mark on tennis and inspired countless others to follow their dreams, regardless of the obstacles in their path.
Grand Slam at 50!
Martina was nearly 50 years (49 years 326 days) when she secured the last of her 59 Grand Slam titles, teaming up with Bob Bryan to win the US Open mixed doubles on 9 September 2006. It was her 41st doubles title since June 1974 – the most Grand Slam doubles titles won. Navratilova retired from competitive tennis after the Flushing Meadows (New York) final, having won her 2,189th career match and her 177th career doubles title – both unrivalled in the open era.
Navratilova won at least one singles (S), women’s doubles (WD) and mixed doubles (XD) crown at each Grand Slam. She claimed 12 titles at the Australian Open (3 S, 8 WD, 1 XD), 11 at the French Open (2 S, 7 WD, 2 XD), 20 at Wimbledon (9 S, 7 WD, 4 XD) and 16 at the US Open (4 S, 9 WD, 3 XD).
The left-hander’s mixed doubles success at the 2006 US Open took her one Grand Slam doubles title clear of Margaret Court, who won 40 tournaments (19 women’s doubles, 21 mixed doubles) between 1961 and 1975.
Navratilova is no stranger to ‘oldest’ records, having won the mixed doubles at Wimbledon on 6 July 2003 (with Leander Paes) at the age of 46 years 261 days, making her the oldest main-draw Wimbledon champion in history.
The American closed out her career with 167 singles and 177 doubles titles, 2,189 match wins (singles and doubles combined) and 237 weeks ranked No.1 in doubles – all records in the open era (since 1968) for a man or a woman. With her 332-week reign at No.1 in singles, she is the only player in history to be ranked No.1 in both singles and doubles for over 200 weeks.
Her journey from the red-clay courts of her childhood to the grand stages of Wimbledon and beyond is a testament to her resilience, talent, and unyielding spirit. Martina Navratilova not only revolutionized women’s tennis with her athleticism and aggressive play but also became a global icon, inspiring generations to come.