Czech/American · Prague · Born 18 October 1956Czech-American who won a record 18 Grand Slam singles titles among her 167 career titles, and spent 332 weeks as world No. 1.
Martina Navratilova was born in Prague in 1956 and defected to the United States during the 1975 US Open, carrying little beyond her tennis bag. She became the most prolific title winner in professional tennis history with 167 singles titles and 177 doubles titles — 344 total, a figure no player in the sport's history has matched. Her 18 Grand Slam singles titles include 9 Wimbledon championships — the most at any single major by any player — won across three different decades. She held the world number one ranking for 332 weeks. Her win-loss record of 2,189-263 gives her a win rate of 89.3%. She served 6,181 career aces. She and Pam Shriver won 20 Grand Slam doubles titles together — the most by any partnership. She also won 10 Grand Slam mixed doubles titles. Her physical transformation — the first elite player to employ dedicated strength training, nutrition science and sports psychology as systematic disciplines — changed preparation standards across professional tennis. Her rivalry with Chris Evert across 80 meetings — 46 wins to Navratilova, 37 to Evert — defined a golden era for the women's game. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010 and recovered. She has been one of sport's most consistent advocates for LGBTQ+ rights since coming out in 1981.
One of the greatest players ever, dominant serve-volley game
How They Played
Navratilova was renowned for her aggressive serve-and-volley game, constantly attacking the net with powerful serves and crisp volleys. Her left-handed style, combined with exceptional speed, agility, and court coverage, made her particularly effective on grass courts. She possessed one of the most complete games in tennis history, with strong groundstrokes from both wings and superior net play.
Lasting Impact
Navratilova revolutionized women's tennis with her athletic approach and professionalism, raising the physical standards of the game. Her longevity and success across multiple decades helped elevate the profile and popularity of women's tennis globally.
Career Honours
- 18 Grand Slam singles titles
- world No. 1 for 332 weeks
- 167 career singles titles
- Fed Cup champion multiple times
- International Tennis Hall of Fame (2000)
Czech/American Athletes