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SINGAPORE – APRIL 28: WTA Finals Ambassador Martina Navratilova speaks to media during the WTA Finals ticket launch at the Singapore Sports Hub on April 28, 2016 in Singapore. (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images)
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via Getty
SINGAPORE – APRIL 28: WTA Finals Ambassador Martina Navratilova speaks to media during the WTA Finals ticket launch at the Singapore Sports Hub on April 28, 2016 in Singapore. (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images)
Former American tennis star Martina Navratilova is among the top achievers of tennis. The 65-year-old has served the game throughout her life. Starting her career as a teenager, she played the sport till late in her 40s. Later, she picked up the microphone to work as a commentator and tennis expert.
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A topic that has been discussed quite often now is mental health. After the pandemic, many tennis stars came out to admit their sufferings openly. While the social media and the reaction from fans mentally affected a lot of people, Navratilova believes it is something that can be handled. Here’s what she said.
Navratilova reacts to the stress in the modern sporting world
The emergence of social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, etc, has connected fans to entities. While it sounds good for fans, it has a darker side for the athletes. Hate comments and negative trend for a player on social media directly affect their mental health. Former tennis star Martina Navratilova had her say on the issue.
“If social media is your biggest problem,” she says, “you’ve got it good because you have an option of staying away from it.”
Further, she expressed her sympathy for the players struggling with mental health challenges.
“The mental issues are real. I’m not belittling them at all, but it’s like we didn’t have the option of having any mental issues because we were too busy,” she added.
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Challenges in the life of Martina Navratilova
Born in the Czech Republic, the 65-year-old had a hard time playing tennis in her early days. Back then, her country was going through a political disturbance. The issue directly affected her game as she at times failed to get permission to travel internationally.
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LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 19: Martina Navratilova of the United States smiles during the mixed doubles match between John McEnroe of the United States and his partner Kim Clijsters of Belgium and Martina Navratilova of the United States and Jamie Murray of Great Britain during the Wimbledon No. 1 Court Celebration in support of the Wimbledon Foundation at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on May 19, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
This prompted her to take a one-way flight to America, where she took refuge. As a teenager who can not go back to her own country, she faced various hardships in her early days in America. She had to drive her own vehicle to the tournaments and played without a coach for the first six years.
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Watch this story- When Mike Tyson supported Serena Williams for her US Open meltdown against Naomi Osaka
However, the legendary tennis player didn’t give up and stayed there to see herself end as one of the all-time greats. Her story is surely an inspiration for future generations.
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