Martina Navratilova is one of the tennis legends who rose to the top despite battling hardships during her career. Her country did not have the best social or political conditions which, in turn, affected the sport.

Navratilova talked about her experience of growing up and pursuing tennis as a career in Czechoslovakia which was under Russian rule. She emphasized on trying to finding ways to move out of the country.

Martina Navratilova on growing up in Russian controlled Czechoslovakia

Martina Navratilova has had one of the most glorious tennis careers in the world. Millions have looked up to her for her resilience and tenacity. However, the Czech-American legend did not have the liberty of building her career in the most peaceful country. She talked about how tennis was her escape out of the country.

She said, “Tennis changed for me, not because the Russians came in as much as just the possibility of tennis getting me out of the country was really crystallized.”

Navratilova’s passion for tennis led her to the USA

The former world no. 1 knew that getting out of the country was only possible if she did well enough in tennis.

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She said, “I was exposed to the Western culture early on, so we knew what was out there and what the possibilities were. And playing tennis I knew, if I was good enough, would allow me to get outside of the country.”

Martina Navratilova gained asylum in the US at the age of 18. Subsequently, she went on to become the world no. 1 and won 18 grand slam titles and 59 combined major titles.

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Her rivalry with another world-renowned player, Chris Evert, is worth-mentioning, as both players were pivotal in enhancing the popularity of the sport.