‘Speak the Truth’ – Martina Navratilova Recalls Fond Memories of the Legendary Actress as She Receives the Spirit of Katharine Hepburn Award

Martina Navratilova is undoubtedly one of the greatest to grace the game of tennis. The 65-year-old received various accolades in her long and illustrious career. Now the legend has added another one to the list. She recently received the Spirit of Katharine Hepburn Award.

In her four-decade-long career, Navratilova won 18 Grand Slam singles titles. She also won 31 Grand Slam doubles titles. She remained on the top of WTA rankings for a record 332 weeks. Second only behind Steffi Graf. Apart from that, she is one of only three WTA players to achieve a Career Grand Slam in singles.

Spirit of Katharine Hepburn Award for Martina Navratilova

Adding to her long list of accomplishments, Navratilova received the 7th annual Spirit of Katharine Hepburn Award. The Award given out is for honoring the women who represent the bold spirit, fierce independence, and distinctive character of the actress.

While receiving the award, the 65-year-old also spoke about how Katherine inspired her. “When you leave a communist country and you survive that, when you can speak out, you do. If I can speak and not be afraid, why wouldn’t I use that voice? Kate validated that – speak your truth and people will catch up. Because she was afraid of her time and people caught up, I was ahead of my time, people caught up,” she said.

Read more: ‘Things Money Can’t Buy’ – Martina Navratilova Congratulates Barack Obama for His Emmy Win and Takes an Indirect Swipe at Donald Trump

Apart from her brilliant tennis career, Navratilova took different initiatives for empowerment and social justice for women. As a truly fierce and fearless woman, she thoroughly deserved the honor.

Navratilova wished to play against Serena Williams in her prime

Martina Navratilova ruled the generation she played into. Following her retirement, the world saw another superstar in Serena Williams. The American recently concluded her 27-year-long career. She amassed many records and ended with 23 Grand Slam titles to her name. While both Serena and Navratilova are greats of their generation, people rue them for being from different generations. A fan recently wished he would have seen both the players compete in a match at their peak of the game.

Navratilova echoed similar emotions as she replied, “Me too”

Watch this story: Martina Navratilova gives her opinion on the negative impact of social media

It’s hard to predict who would have dominated in the match but one thing is for sure, both Serena and Navratilova will go down as two of the greatest tennis players of all time.