
via Getty
SINGAPORE, SINGAPORE – OCTOBER 28: WTA legend Martina Navratilova during the Women’s Doubles prize ceremonyo n day 8 of the 2018 BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global at Singapore Indoor Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Singapore. (Photo by Lionel Ng/Getty Images)

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SINGAPORE, SINGAPORE – OCTOBER 28: WTA legend Martina Navratilova during the Women’s Doubles prize ceremonyo n day 8 of the 2018 BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global at Singapore Indoor Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Singapore. (Photo by Lionel Ng/Getty Images)
The legendary Martina Navratilova is undoubtedly one of the greatest players to ever hold a tennis racket. The Czech-American has won a whopping 56 grand slam titles, including 18 singles titles in her illustrious career – a record, male or female in the Open Era. One of the most decorated players of all time, she has won it all on the tennis court.
But who would have thought that the biggest victory of her life was yet to come, years after she hung up her boots as a player? After a hard battle with cancer, she finally overcame the deadly disease. Heartwarming messages from the tennis community poured in, including that of fellow survivor and former player Carla Suarez Navarro.
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Suarez Navarro expresses joy as Martina Navratilova overcomes cancer
An ecstatic Martina Navratilova recently announced in a tweet that she was cancer free – the 66-year-old had triumphed in the biggest match of her life. She expressed her gratitude to all the medical professionals who treated her and helped her overcome the ordeal. The tennis fraternity, including thousands of her fans, was quick to congratulate her.
Amongst her well-wishers was former Spanish tennis player Carla Suarez Navarro, who herself is a cancer survivor. As a person who is aware firsthand of the pain and struggles associated with the disease, she couldn’t help but express happiness for Navratilova. “Fantastic news!! So happy for you, Martina! 💪🏻💪🏻😘😘”, she tweeted.
Fantastic news!! So happy for you, Martina! 💪🏻💪🏻😘😘 https://t.co/nRozuWj0oB
— Carla Suárez Navarro (@CarlaSuarezNava) June 20, 2023
Suarez Navarro was taken aback after being diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma in the year 2020. However, her treatment went amazingly well, and she was declared cancer-free just a year later. She even returned to competitive action the same year, before retiring from the sport at the end of the season.
And now, in a similar fashion, Martina Navratilova joins the club of warriors who fought cancer and emerged victorious.
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Navratilova’s multiple bouts with cancer
After a lumpectomy, Martina Navratilova was diagnosed with a noninvasive form of breast cancer in 2010. After quick treatment, she continued to lead a healthy life and worked as a broadcaster and pundit in the following years. However, in January this year, she revealed that she was further diagnosed with stage 1 throat cancer and early-stage breast cancer, which she claimed was a ‘double whammy’ for her.

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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)
Fortunately, her prognosis went well, and being the great champion and fighter that she is, she overcame all her battles with the disease and came out stronger!
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