Martina Navratilova

Martina Navrátilová {{Audio|Cs-Martina Navratilova.ogg|listen}} (b. October 18 1956, in ?evnice, near Prague, Czechoslovakia) is a former World No. 1 woman tennis player. Originally from Czechoslovakia, she defected to the United States in 1975 and became a US citizen in 1981. During her career she won 18 Grand Slam singles titles and 40 Grand Slam doubles titles (31 women's doubles and 9 mixed doubles). She won the women's singles title at Wimbledon a record 9 times.

Personal life

In 1981, shortly after being granted U.S. citizenship, Navrátilová took the bold step of coming out about her sexual orientation. In response to media speculation about her relationship with the author Rita Mae Brown, Navrátilová became one of the first major sports stars to announce that she was a lesbian.

Related Topics:
1981 - Citizenship - Sexual orientation - Author - Rita Mae Brown

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Navrátilová?s openness about her sexuality almost certainly cost her millions in endorsement opportunities because of corporate homophobia.

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From 1983 to 1991, Navrátilová had a long-term relationship with partner Judy Nelson. Their split in 1991 was messy and included a much-publicized legal wrangle.

Related Topics:
1983 - 1991 - Judy Nelson

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When not playing tennis, Navrátilová is involved with various charities that benefit animal rights, underprivileged children and gay rights. She released an autobiography, simply entitled Martina, in 1985, and also co-wrote three mystery novels in the 1990s.

Related Topics:
Autobiography - 1985 - 1990s

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A vegetarian, Navrátilová has appeared in ad campaigns for PETA.

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Navrátilová also made a humorous guest appearance on the gay-themed NBC sitcom Will & Grace, in a 2000 episode called "Lows In The Mid-Eighties", in which a flashback revealed she had been heterosexual until a 1985 relationship with Karen turned her gay.

Related Topics:
NBC - Sitcom - Will & Grace - 2000 - Lows In The Mid-Eighties - Flashback - Heterosexual - 1985 - Karen

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