Martina Navratilova is a free-spirited person. However, tennis is a sport that leaves no space for personal relishes. Therefore, after tying herself to and dedicating her time entirely to tennis for years, Navratilova finally tasted life. She hung her racket in 2006 and started the second set of her life.

Though the 18-time Grand Slam champion who embraces every experience with open arms might not be so sure about her ‘I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!’

Martina Navratilova gets into filth for a challenge

Navratilova entered the show in the year 2008. In a bid to be crowned Queen Of The Jungle, she enrolled for a gruesome Bush Tucker Trial. A trial in which by finding stars the campmates gain food and treat. Though in her defense, she didn’t get the instructions right.

Navratilova’s teammate George Takei misread the name of the trial as Wash and Dry instead of Wash and Cry. Therefore, thinking it would be a harmless task, she jumped in. Although, the pile of dirt and disgust that awaited gave her instant regret as she said, “I volunteered for this. What was I thinking?”

The nine times Wimbledon champion had to scoop star-marked clothes from the filth consisting of stuff such as rotten fish guts. And when asked if she wanted to withdraw, the strong-willed veteran responded, “I’ve got to do this. I mean, that’s why I came here for. Can’t wimp out, it’s not in my vocabulary.”

Read more: ‘A Prisoner in Your Own Body’ – When Martina Navratilova Detailed the Harrowing Experience of Living Through Breast Cancer

After completing the task, Navratilova jokingly asked, “Do you want a hug?” And admitted, “At least I was alive in there. It was so disgusting.” Thereafter, she took a quick dip in the river to get rid of the smell and dirt.

Navratilova in her playing days

The Czech American has always been competitive and, when paired with her mental strength, she became invisible. The former World No.1 faced unnecessary hate and mistreatment in her early days. Even so, she didn’t let go of her career. Rather, she used it to sharpen the fearless attitude that later helped her dominate the sport like no other.

Watch this story: Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova once jointly bashed infamous broadcaster Piers Morgan after his ridiculous comments on Marin Cilic 

Navratilova, who started with a 4-16 score against the seven-time French Open champion Chris Evert, pulled a lead of 6 matches by the end of her career. Not only that, she ruled the courts for a record 322 weeks, which is only second to the German Steffi Graf.