‘Stepped Right Up and Stood Up for a Disease’- Martina Navratilova Once Took a Poignant Arthur Ashe Example To Prove Unity in Tennis

Martina Navratilova has become an advocate for social concerns following her retirement. The Czech–American tennis star had a tremendous tennis career. She has won 18 grand slam titles and have changed the face of women’s tennis. However, she also faced her own part of struggles that came with being the best. 

Other than playing fierce tennis, she also struggled when she revealed her sexuality to the world. Suffering the same, the former tennis player raised her voice for her LGBTQ family and stands firm in her decision. 

Martina Navratilova once showed a disappointment in the sport

Nearly seven years back, when the sport was not that developed, the former world number one tennis star took a chance to explain how the game could grow together, but with a difficult example explaining her side of view.

She said, “It’s funny because in some aspects sports has been really ahead of the curve in social issues, but when it comes to gay stuff, we have not. Tennis was right up there when Arthur Ashe was diagnosed with AIDS. We stepped right out and stood up for a disease that certainly wasn’t popular to stand up for. I feel good about that, but over all sports has not been good when it came to homosexual athletes or gay rights. And it’s only now that we’re catching up to that.”

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She took an example of how Ashur Ashe stood for AIDS at the right time, but when it comes to social issues like supporting the gay community, the sports is still lacking behind. The former player was proud of the unity displayed by the sport, but somewhere was upset with the other issues left behind. But according to her, it’s great that in the end, the sexuality of the athlete doesn’t affect their performance and it’s not a great deal. Further, she hopes that these issues don’t create unnecessary headlines and crowd people’s mindset.

Where is Navratilova now?

The 18 time Grand Slam champion is living a peaceful life with her wife and two-step daughters. And if we talk about sports, she is often seen behind the mic giving her opinion with other tennis giants. 

Watch this story – When Martina Navratilova detailed the harrowing experience of living through breast cancer

Whether it be a few years back or today, the former tennis player never holds on to what she thinks is right. Even the social media account stands for the same. She is quite active on Twitter and shares every happy or sad event that she feels strongly about. However, over the years, she has made a point of supporting the gay community and give them the platform that they might require.

Tennis fans enjoy this authentic version of the American star even today, and why not? Let us know in the comment section below.