The Russia-Ukraine conflict has had its tremors felt on the sporting world. Athletes all over the world have stepped up and shared the responsibility of contributing to peace one way or the other. Legendary tennis star Martina Navratilova shares her experience being on the receiving end of a similar situation.

Born in Czechoslovakia, Navratilova had seen a similar kind of invasion in 1968. 

Martina Navratilova speaks on her experience

18-time Grand Slam Winner Czech-born Martina Navratilova spoke to New York Times columnist Christopher Clarey. Martina recalled her playing days as a junior and narrated an incident involving her conversation with an opponent.

“I know it is emotionally so difficult. I wanted to beat this Junior, and, in fact when I shook her hand after, I said, ‘See, your tanks can’t beat us!’ So I get that. You feel like you are playing for your country, and it hurts!”

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Navratilova continued, “I knew she had nothing to do with it, but I still took it personally. So I get where Kostyuk is coming from, how much it hurts, but I don’t think you can punish people to that level.” 

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Many Russian players including World No. 1 Daniil Medvedev also expressed uncertainty over their playing future.

Martina relates to the words of Ukrainian tennis star Marta Kostyuk

After the 1st round win at the on-going Indian Wells tournament, Marta Kostyuk opened up about the situation in her country. 

“Honestly I in the current mental state that I’m that I’m in it was very tough to go on court and you know I didn’t know what to expect from myself I didn’t know what to expect from my body and uh when I woke up in the morning today I was just like I’m not gonna do it don’t know I can’t win it”

Marta further added, “Throughout the whole match I was trying to find a way. She (opponent) was playing amazing tennis and my main goal was to fight and I thought I don’t know it was a tough comeback I didn’t know I can do it but that’s how it is in the end”

While commenting on the support she and other Ukrainian players getting she said, “I still feels that we are big family and I am done feel alone regarding the tour. What is disappointing is none of the Russian Tennis players came to me and tell me that they are sorry for what their country is doing to mine.” 

Marta won the first-round match coming back from a set down. Unfortunately, the Ukrainian star lost her second-round match against Elise Mertens in two sets.

The 19-year-old is not the only one to express her views regarding the current situation. Many other Ukrainian stars have talked to the three tennis federations over removing the Russian flag and asking athletes to play neutrally. 

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