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US WNBA basketball superstar Brittney Griner arrives to a hearing at the Khimki Court, outside Moscow on June 27, 2022. – Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medallist and WNBA champion, was detained at Moscow airport in February on charges of carrying in her luggage vape cartridges with cannabis oil, which could carry a 10-year prison sentence. (Photo by KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images)
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US WNBA basketball superstar Brittney Griner arrives to a hearing at the Khimki Court, outside Moscow on June 27, 2022. – Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medallist and WNBA champion, was detained at Moscow airport in February on charges of carrying in her luggage vape cartridges with cannabis oil, which could carry a 10-year prison sentence. (Photo by KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images)
WNBA star Brittney Griner has had a tough time of late. Earlier this year, she traveled to Russia to play during the WNBA’s offseason. Immediately after landing in the country, she was detained for carrying illegal drugs at the Sheremetyevo International Airport in Khimki.
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Recently, the American star received a major jolt in her drug trial. A Russian court sentenced the basketball player to nine years in prison. As the court announced the ruling, social media users poured in their support for Griner. Many noted celebrities across the globe voiced their opinions by backing her. Amongst them was the tennis legend, Martina Navratilova.
Martina Navratilova comes out in support of Brittney Griner
The 65-year-old took to Twitter to express shock at Griner’s prison sentence. She said, “Omg- this is just ridiculous and sad, needless to say. I hope there is a better solution/ outcome in the near future…”
Omg- this is just ridiculous and sad, needless to say. I hope there is a better solution/ outcome in the near future… https://t.co/WjTiabKMhm
— Martina Navratilova (@Martina) August 4, 2022
Moreover, she also said, “Political indeed. Brittney is a pawn in a nasty political game.”
Political indeed. Brittney is a pawn in a nasty political game. https://t.co/lV2cF8h1R6
— Martina Navratilova (@Martina) August 5, 2022
Further, apart from Navratilova, the United States President, Joe Biden, also commented, saying that the ruling was “unacceptable.” Further, he added, “Today, American citizen Brittney Griner received a prison sentence that is one more reminder of what the world already knew: Russia is wrongfully detaining Brittney…”
Navratilova on the negative impact of social media
Earlier this year, the legendary American talked about how social media was affecting players’ mental health in today’s day and age. She said, “If social media is your biggest problem, you’ve got it good because you have an option of staying away from it.”
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SHANGHAI, CHINA – OCTOBER 16: Tennis legend. Martina Navratilova, speaks during the Australian Open. Women In Focus Lunch at. M on the. Bud on October 16, 2015 in. Shanghai, China. (Photo by. Hu Chengwei/Getty Images for Tennis Australia)
Further, she went on to add, “The mental issues are real. I’m not belittling them at all, but it’s like we didn’t have the option of having any mental issues because we were too busy.”
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Since Naomi Osaka opened up about her mental-health-related struggles during the French Open 2021, many players like Nick Kyrgios have also admitted to struggling with these issues. Navratilova has related these issues to the extensive use of social media. Moreover, she also compared how things were different during her playing days.
Written by
Edited by
Tony Thomas