With 59 Grand Slam titles in her bag, the American tennis legend, Martina Navratilova has long held her position as one of the legendary figures in the sporting community. However, there were a lot of challenges and setbacks in her illustrious competitive journey, particularly after coming out as a member of the LGBTQ community in the 80s and 90s era. Even after bidding adieu to the game, the former tennis star had to endure hardships due to her battle with cancer.

However, during this adverse phase, the Hall of Famer received enormous support from her former mixed doubles partner, Leander Paes. Speaking about his friendship with the WTA legend, the Indian tennis star recently brought to light a heart-warming anecdote.

Martina Navratilova’s former mixed doubles partner hailed her as the ‘G.O.A.T’

In a recent interview with THE WEEK, the Indian tennis star reminisced about some of the heartfelt moments that he shared with his former mixed doubles partner, Martina Navratilova. Meanwhile, Leander Paes also revealed the reason why he puts the former tennis ace in the elite “G.O.A.T” category.

He said, “Because she was my 9pm phone call when I was at the MD Anderson Cancer Research Centre (Texas). Every single day. And when she went through cancer, I was her 9pm phone call every day.”

The 50-year-old tennis star revealed how the WTA legend was his “9 pm phone call” when he had a suspected brain tumor that was later found to be neurocysticercosis. Later, their “phone call” duties were switched when Navratilova was battling cancer.

Emphasizing it, the former ATP player discussed it is their “value systems” that got them the title of ‘champions’. He said, “We’re not champions because we win. We win because we have certain value systems and certain ways of looking at life. And the way we live our lives.”

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After putting her in the “G.O.A.T” category, Paes also talked about the 18 singles Grand Slam champion’s leadership qualities.

Navratilova’s former mixed doubles hailed her as a ‘leader’

During the conversation, the former ATP player also made a slight comparison between the ‘Martinas’ in the women’s circuit. While comparing her former doubles partner with Martina Hingis, Paes said that it was her leadership qualities that distinguished her from the other players.

In the process, he also reminisced about the incident when Navratilova walked into his locker room at the US Open. He said that the WTA legend already looked confident before their mixed doubles match in New York as she tapped on his shoulder and said, “You are playing with me.”

What do you think of the former mixed doubles player hailing the American tennis legend as a champion and leader? Let us know in the comments section.

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