Martina Navratilova is one of the best tennis players ever. She receives admiration from many and has inspired several young minds. However, what gave her the push to rise in and dominate the sport?

Navratilova, when moved to America, lost herself in the maze of worldly pleasure. She gained weight and the nation’s glamour slightly tilted her focus towards things like cars and jewelry. Though soon a slap-like defeat brought her back to her senses. According to Chris Evert, when she bagelled Navratilova, the trashing that followed awakened her will to do better.

The match that changed Martina Navratilova

After the 1981 WTA championships finals based on Amelia Island, Fla, Evert disclosed how a 6-0, 6-0 defeat brought critics to Navratilova’s doorstep. She also spoke about how that match was Nancy Lieberman’s first experience of watching the Czech American play.

The star basketball player, later in the early 90s, claimed that her affiliation instilled the killer instincts that the 18 times Grand Slam champion is famous for. She said, “I just made her more competitive. For a time, she needed to go totally opposite to what she was because she was so passive. Mentally, she was competitive, but she had a lot of feeling for the people she was playing.”

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Thereafter, she added, “The example was Chris. So mentally strong and dominating. Martina went out there to play tennis, and Chris went out there for war. In 1981, Martina needed to be pushed.”

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Navratilova traveled to Virginia Beach, Lieberman’s hometown. There she cross-trained and improved her agility and durability. So much so that the nine-time Wimbledon champion in weeks became capable of playing tennis for up to four hours a day. Further, she started weight training and sprinted daily at a local track.

Navratilova’s reign

After losing 16 out of the first 20 clashes against Chris Evert, the seven-time French Open champion, Navratilova switched gears. With a dominant and aggressive style of playing, she not only settled the score but also, by the end of Evert’s career, secured the lead of 43-37.

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Following that, Navratilova claimed the hard court and grass-based tournaments limiting tactful Evert to clay. She ended her career with 167 singles, 177 doubles, and 15 mixed doubles titles.