Magnificent Martina Navratilova
A few days ago, Martina Navratilova celebrated her fifty-third birthday. It was only a little over three years ago that Martina ended her last (and final?!) comeback with a U.S. Open Mixed Double title alongside partner, Bob Bryan. As many express astonishment at Roger Federer’s record twenty-two straight Grand Slam singles semifinals, it’s important not to
lose sight of the fact that during her long and illustrious career, Martina Navratilova reached nineteen straight Grand Slam singles semis.
During her career, Navratilova won 18 Grand Slam singles titles, 31 Grand Slam women's doubles titles (an all-time record) and 10 Grand Slam mixed doubles titles. Navratilova also holds the Open era record for women and men for most singles titles (167) and doubles titles (177), as well as the longest winning streak in the Open era (74 consecutive matches).
In 1978, Navratilova won her first Grand Slam singles title at Wimbledon over Chris Evert and became Number One for the first time. During her career, Martina was ranked Number One for five consecutive years. Martina also won 6 straight Wimbledon singles titles between 1982-1987 and a record 9 overall. Martina shares the all-time record at Wimbledon with Billie Jean King as they’ve each won 20 Wimbledon titles (singles, doubles and mixed).
Serena Williams and Venus Williams have played doubles sporadically, albeit very successfully during their careers, but they are the exception amongst today’s top women. In contrast, Martina played doubles throughout her career. Navratilova and Pam Shriver won 109 consecutive women’s doubles matches and won all four Grand Slam titles in 1984. They also tied Louise Brough Clapp's and Margaret Osborne duPont's record of 20 Grand Slam women's doubles titles as a team. Navratilova is one of only three women who have achieved a career Grand Slam in singles, women's doubles, and mixed doubles (called the Grand Slam "boxed set").
In 1983 and 1984, Navratilova won 6 consecutive Grand Slam singles titles which is a record she shares with Margaret Court and Maureen Connolly. From 1982-1984, Navratilova lost a total of only six singles matches. During her career, Navratilova reached 11 consecutive Grand Slam singles finals, second all-time to Steffi Graf's 13 straight. Navratilova won 9 of the 18 career singles matches with Graf and 5 of the 9 Grand Slam singles matches against her.
There will always be debates regarding who is the greatest tennis player ever across generations. Nonetheless, many of Martina’s records will never be matched and her achievements on multiple surfaces across many decades in both singles and doubles are incredible. There is no question regarding Martina’s Navratilova’s unique place in tennis history.
During her career, Navratilova won 18 Grand Slam singles titles, 31 Grand Slam women's doubles titles (an all-time record) and 10 Grand Slam mixed doubles titles. Navratilova also holds the Open era record for women and men for most singles titles (167) and doubles titles (177), as well as the longest winning streak in the Open era (74 consecutive matches).
In 1978, Navratilova won her first Grand Slam singles title at Wimbledon over Chris Evert and became Number One for the first time. During her career, Martina was ranked Number One for five consecutive years. Martina also won 6 straight Wimbledon singles titles between 1982-1987 and a record 9 overall. Martina shares the all-time record at Wimbledon with Billie Jean King as they’ve each won 20 Wimbledon titles (singles, doubles and mixed).
Serena Williams and Venus Williams have played doubles sporadically, albeit very successfully during their careers, but they are the exception amongst today’s top women. In contrast, Martina played doubles throughout her career. Navratilova and Pam Shriver won 109 consecutive women’s doubles matches and won all four Grand Slam titles in 1984. They also tied Louise Brough Clapp's and Margaret Osborne duPont's record of 20 Grand Slam women's doubles titles as a team. Navratilova is one of only three women who have achieved a career Grand Slam in singles, women's doubles, and mixed doubles (called the Grand Slam "boxed set").
In 1983 and 1984, Navratilova won 6 consecutive Grand Slam singles titles which is a record she shares with Margaret Court and Maureen Connolly. From 1982-1984, Navratilova lost a total of only six singles matches. During her career, Navratilova reached 11 consecutive Grand Slam singles finals, second all-time to Steffi Graf's 13 straight. Navratilova won 9 of the 18 career singles matches with Graf and 5 of the 9 Grand Slam singles matches against her.
There will always be debates regarding who is the greatest tennis player ever across generations. Nonetheless, many of Martina’s records will never be matched and her achievements on multiple surfaces across many decades in both singles and doubles are incredible. There is no question regarding Martina’s Navratilova’s unique place in tennis history.
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