“I Just Don’t Want to Lose Tennis Courts to Pickleball Courts”- Martina Navratilova Raises Concern Over Rising Popularity of Pickleball

Martina Navratilova is one of those players who strengthened the foundation of WTA. She, alongside Billie Jean King and Chris Evert, proved the worth of Women’s tennis. The 18 times Grand Slam champion went through hell in her initial days. The teenage immigrant had the image of an ungrateful outsider and her muscular build brought allegations of unfair advantage. Even so, she kept moving forward.

Navratilova gave her all to the sport and, therefore, is very sensitive about topics that discuss potential threats to it. In fact, she isn’t a fan of Pickleball because of the same reason and recently shared her concern.

Martina Navratilova takes a dig at Pickleball

The veteran has been quite vocal about her take on the sport that started as a children’s backyard game and has gained an official status now. She is aware of the similarities Pickleball has with tennis and its increasing popularity. Thus, fears the chances of replacement. “I just don’t want to lose tennis courts to pickleball courts,” she confessed.

This is the second time she has spoken about keeping Pickleball away from tennis courts. Earlier, in the context of the sport gaining popularity in America, she tweeted. “I say if pickleball is that popular let them build their own courts.”

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Further, the polymer ball and paddle-based sport, has started outsourcing tennis professionals. Recently, the former Wimbledon juniors champion Noah Rubin and former World No 11 Sam Querrey took retirement from the sport to test their luck in Pickleball. 

The illustrious tennis career of Navratilova

The Czech- American turned pro in the year 1974 and slowly became the only player who could hold a candle to Chris Evert’s skills. She executed a marvellous 80-match rivalry with the seven-time French Open champion and secured a lead of 43 wins.

Further, she claimed the ranking of World No 1 for the first time in the year 1978 and spent a record 332 weeks in the position. Her record is second only to the German Steffi Graf.

Watch this story: Chris Evert looks back at her astounding rivalry with Martina Navratilova and the negative impact of her 13-match losing streak

Navratilova marked her name on 167 singles, 177 doubles, and 15 mixed doubles trophies. Also, she is among the only few with over 100 victories in the greens of Wimbledon. In this generation, only Serena Williams reached close to that milestone.