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Martina Navratilova fought several odds when she moved to America. At first, she didn’t receive a warm welcome. Then, with time, the hate increased as people thought of her as an ungrateful, complaining immigrant. However, slowly the crowd understood the lady and the western culture seeped into her blood.

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Though the peace didn’t last long as a fresh battle related to her sexuality awaited her. Navratilova, as a lesbian, had to fight for her rights and at last her struggle and perseverance paid off. As she met her soulmate at the end of the tunnel.

Martina Navratilova expresses her feeling about Lemigova

The 18-time Grand Slam champion, in a 2014 interview, shared her perception of Julia Lemigova. She said, “She’s just a special human being inside and out. [I love] her dimples when she smiles. She’s got a honey voice and a honey personality.”

via Getty

Thereafter, she added, “We’ve come from similar backgrounds and experiences in life and we’ve both overcome a lot. We both dreamt big, and we both made it, so it’s pretty cool!” Further speaking about Lemigova, she is a former model and active actress. The Russian was crowned, Miss USSR 1990 and is currently a cast member of television series ‘The Real Housewives of Miami.’

Read More: ‘I Was Intimidated’- Martina Navratilova on Battling Breast Cancer

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The Nine-time Wimbledon champion, met her wife for the first time in a bar. Following that, destiny reunited them eight years later at 2006 French open and after dating for other eight years they tied the knot. Now the couple lives in Miami with their two daughters, Victoria and Emma.

What is Navratilova up to these days?

The former world no.1, retired from the sport in the year 2006 with 167 singles and 177 doubles titles under her name. She got inducted in the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2000 and now uses her deep understanding of the sport for analytical and broadcasting purposes.

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Watch This Story: Martina Navratilova gives her opinion on the negative impact of social media

The 65-year-old works in affiliation with the BBC network. She covers all four Grand Slams of a season for the channel and one can expect to see her in the upcoming Grand Slam. With Serena Williams’ retirement, the US Open of this season is going to be a landmark tournament and Navratilova’s presence will only add to its charm.