‘The Only Good Thing About Growing Up in a Communist Country’ – Martina Navratilova on How Men and Women Received the Same Push in Her Country

Martina Navratilova overcame all odds to carve a successful career in tennis. She made her professional debut for Czechoslovakia, winning a Grand Slam doubles and a Grand Slam mixed doubles title. Subsequently, she moved to the United States in 1975 while playing in the US Open that year. She sought political asylum in the United States on account of the deteriorating political situation in her native country.

The move turned out to be fruitful for Navratilova as she became one of the most successful players in the sport. Over her illustrious career, Navratilova has managed to win 59 Grand Slam titles, including 18 singles titles, 31 doubles titles and 10 mixed doubles titles. Recently, she spoke about the benefit of being born in a communist country.

Martina Navratilova on growing up in a communist country

During an interview, the tennis legend talked about how her native country promoted equal opportunities. She said, “My family was very athletic, even my grandmother used to play team handball with her in our backyard and maybe that’s the best thing about growing up, and maybe the only good thing about growing up in a communist country was that women athletes were supported the same way male athletes were.”

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Further, Navratilova added, “We had pretty much the same opportunities other than maybe some sports were for boys more than girls... So, I was always supported as an athlete, and later when I became one of the elite athletes in the country, I got the financial support, as small as may have been you know a couple free rackets and strings, etc.” 

Navratilova assesses Emma Raducanu’s performance

Ahead of this year’s Wimbledon Championships, the 65-year-old said that Raducanu wasn’t fit enough to win the tournament. Moreover, she felt that her forehand strokes were a bit dodgy, and she wasn’t hitting through the ball.

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Before vying for a second title at Flushing Meadows later next month, Raducanu will play at the Citi Open, commencing on August 1.