40 Years After Heated Rivalry, Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova Team Up on Brittney Griner Issue

Martina Navratilova,  the former tennis ace, recently shared a motivating message for the basketball player, Brittney Griner. Griner has announced that she will return to the WNBA in 2023 to play for the Phoenix Mercury. She spent ten months in a Russian prison, terrified. Navratilova was impressed by her determination and expressed the same on Twitter.

Griner was released as part of a prisoner exchange involving Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout. She was released from the Russian penal colony after months of difficult negotiations. Several athletes and celebrities expressed their emotions on social media and on television.

Martina Navratilova and Evert express happiness for Brittney Griner

A few months back, Brittney Griner had gone to play basketball in Russia during the WNBA offseason. She was detained at an airport in the Moscow area on suspicion of drug trafficking. In her luggage, Russian authorities discovered cannabis oil-filled vape cartridges. It quickly gained international attention, resulting in a tense period in Washington-Moscow relations. The US authorities deemed it an unlawful detention. Martina Navratilova was quick to share her happiness for her release from the Russian prison on Twitter.

Griner’s defense team provided the Russian court with a 2020 letter from a US medical facility. It had granted her permission to use medical cannabis. Griner used the medication to treat chronic pain caused by sports injuries.

The nine-time Wimbledon Champion tweeted, “Because that’s how Brittney rolls👏🏾👏🏼🤜🏼🤛🏾!!!” Her former rival, Chris Evert teamed up to support and cheer the basketball player.

Evert tweeted out, “Soooo happy and relieved for her…hoping @brittneygriner can heal and put this trauma behind her…🙏🙏🙏 and get back to the sport she loves!”. Evert had tweeted encouragement and support for Griner throughout her trial. She had claimed that Griner did not deserve to be treated in this manner. The legendary American tennis player had wished Griner a safe return to the United States. Finally, her wishes came true.

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In the end, Griner’s freedom depended on the release of a jailed Russian arms dealer who had earned the moniker “Merchant of Death” from his accusers. The basketball player was happy and at ease on the last day of her trial. After her release, she was incredibly gracious.

American tennis veteran had also shared her support for Griner

On Twitter, tennis legend Billie Jean King was always vocal about Griner’s situation. With her followers, she defended the professional basketball player. King had urged others to use their influence and connections to assist Griner in returning to the United States.

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The American tennis veteran had not stopped mentioning Griner’s name since learning of her arrest. She didn’t hesitate to respond to the news of her release on Twitter. King tweeted, “Brittney Griner is free! After 294 days in Russian captivity, @POTUS negotiated a “one-for-one” prisoner swap.” King also thanked the US President, Joe Biden. The tight-knit US women’s basketball community, burst out in joy and relief. Let us know what you think about Griner.