Martina Navratilova

Tennis Legend, Author, Inspirational Speaker and
Social Activist

A champion on and off the court, Martina Navratilova is not only a tennis legend, but an inspirational leader and sports speaker who demonstrates wit, candor, and sheer motivation. Arguably the best tennis player ever to play the game, Navratilova has amassed an unmatched number of professional records during a career that spanned an amazing four decades, while proving herself to be one of the most intriguing, outspoken, and respected figures of the 20th century – and now the 21st century. Through her television appearances, speaking engagements, and tennis commentaries, Martina Navratilova has become as popular for her humor and forthrightness and determination. Through her television appearances, speaking engagements, and tennis commentaries, Martina Navratilova has become as popular for her humor and forthrightness and determination.

Career Highlights

Martina Navratilova has won an astonishing 59 Grand Slam titles, and beyond this, a total of 167 singles titles and 179 doubles titles, all-time records for tennis players, male or female. She won the Wimbledon women’s singles title a record 9 times and has been described by many as “the greatest singles, doubles, and mixed doubles player who’s ever lived”.

Social Issues and Overcoming Obstacles

Her involvement with various charities and staunch support of many social issues, such as women’s issues, gay rights, ethical treatment of animals, underprivileged children, environmental protection, and AIDS research, have made her a powerful keynote speaker as well. The same determination which helped bring her such remarkable achievements on court has most recently helped her through her latest battle, against breast cancer, diagnosed in early 2010. She had an operation to remove cancerous tissue and two weeks later took part in a triathlon.

Books

In addition, she is an accomplished writer of both fiction and non-fiction. In 1985 Martina released an autobiography, co-written with New York Times sports columnist George Vecsey, entitled Martina in the US and Being Myself in the rest of the world. She had earlier co-written a tennis instruction book with Mary Carillo in 1982 entitled Tennis My Way. She later wrote three mystery novels with Liz Nickles: The Total Zone (1994); Breaking Point (1996); and Killer Instinct (1997). Her most recent book, Shape Your Self, is a guide to personal fitness and healthy living.