‘Never Felt Anything Like It’ – Martina Navratilova Once Revealed Emotional Moment in Her Career Where She Was Embraced by American Fans
Follow Us
Martina Navratilova, the 18 times Grand Slam champion, suffered some rough patches in her early days. After moving to America, she faced unbearable bugging related to her defection from Czechoslovakia and hatred from the fan’s end.
Navratilova went through hell in the initial year as she felt unwelcomed in the nation and her game kept on mounting unsatisfactory results. However, the veteran slowly got the hang of how the west functions. Further, with the help of a few changes in the curriculum, she started flourishing in the sport as well. And then came the time when the taste of defeat was also sweet.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Martina Navratilova about getting the acceptance of US fans
In the year 1981, Navratilova finally received the kind of treatment a player of her caliber deserved. The 25-year-old after winning her first ever Grand Slam on the hard courts of Australia was ready to win the hearts of American fans. She made up the finals of the US Open and locked horns with Tracy Austin for the title.
Although she fell shot and couldn’t get the better of Austin, the crowd’s tremendous support washed away her agony. As Navratilova wrote, “They weren’t cheering Martina the Complainer or Martina the Czech, Martina the Loser, Martina the Bisexual Defector.”
Trending
Roger Federer Turns Teary Eyed Over Wife Mirka Breaking 15-Year Long Silence for His Upcoming Documentary
May 15, 2024 05:45 AM EDT
Tennis Rumor: Paula Badosa’s Shock Reunion With Stefanos Tstisipas Days After Break-Up Will Surely Surprise Fans
May 18, 2024 06:13 PM EDT
Italian Open: Aryna Sabalenka Remains Serena Williams’ Final Hope for Rescuing Her Thunder From Unstoppable Iga Swiatek
May 18, 2024 11:01 AM EDT
Coco Gauff’s Coach’s Call for a Serious Action Backfires After Fans Use the Occasion to Criticize American’s Shortcomings
May 14, 2024 01:30 PM EDT
Italian Open: Coco Gauff’s Glaring Weakness Leaves Andy Roddick No Choice but to Write Her Off Against Iga Swiatek
May 16, 2024 05:50 AM EDT
Get instantly notified of the hottest Tennis stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.
Follow Us
Thereafter, she admitted, “They were cheering me. I had never felt anything like it in my life. Acceptance, respect, maybe even love.” The support was humongous as the spectators payed no heed to even her acceptance of in-match faults.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
When the nine times Wimbledon champion in the post-match presentation pointed out, “I froze on some volleys that might have won me the match.” Fans didn’t care, and they never stopped cheering. They cheered when her name was announced as the runner-up as well as when she cried on the sidelines.
Navratilova’s achievements
The tennis veteran is considered one of the best tennis players ever. She claimed 157 singles titles and held the crown of World no.1 for a record 332 weeks during her playing days. Also, the Czech-American has 177 doubles and 15 mixed doubles trophies under her name.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Watch this story: Bestie Serena Williams reacts after Caroline Wozniacki announces happy news
Further, Navratilova ruled the grass courts. Her on-court aggression gelled very nicely with the fastest surface of tennis. Therefore, she achieved the milestone of 100 victories in the Wimbledon championships, which is still to be matched by any active WTA player.
Edited by:
Pritam Priyedarshi