Martina Navratilova had a tough start to her career. She pushed herself from the dwindling political conditions of her country and, through her game, established herself as one of the best tennis players in the world.

This helped her come out of the turmoil conditions in Czechoslovakia. She had been preparing for her comeback at the Federation Cup in 2003 and had to return to Russia. She had talked about the effect of the regime on the older generation of her country.

Martina Navratilova expressed her remorse for the older generation in Czechoslovakia

Navratilova had become the oldest player to play in the history of the Federation Cup at 47. She talked about the older generation of Czechoslovakia and how their abilities and opportunities are limited. She said, “There was a more melancholic streak in older Czech people. I still feel it today when I look at my mother and her friends. It’s the same for anyone there in their 60s or 70s or 80s. They were denied so much.”

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She felt sad for her mother, who had to live for a long time under that regime. She further added, “I was lucky. I got out and, 14 years later, Czechoslovakia became a free country. So I feel anger, even fury, at this bloody system that ruined so many people’s lives for no reason, whatsoever.”

How did she escape the regime?

Martina Navratilova knew that tennis was the only way for her to get out of that country. She sought asylum in the USA in 1975 and then represented the country on different tours. In 1978, she was the world’s best player in women’s tennis.

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Navratilova won 18 grand slam titles throughout her glorious career in tennis. Her iconic rivalry with Chris Evert is still engraved on the minds of tennis enthusiasts.

The player rose from the bottom, and her resilience gave inspiration to a lot of people. Her passion for the sport did not die with age. She was commentating at Wimbledon and that is when she realized that she still wants to play.

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She promoted this spirit when players were getting apprehensive about being part of Wimbledon this year because of a lack of ranking points. Her undying passion for the sport of Navratilova makes her one of the most admirable tennis personalities.