Topline
Tennis great Martina Navratilova revealed in an interview published by Tennis.com Monday that she is battling both throat and breast cancers, though she said the conditions were caught early and she is hopeful of a “favorable outcome.”
Martina Navratilova before presenting the winner’s trophy to Iga Swiatek of Poland at the … [+]
Key Facts
Navratilova told the tennis news outlet she was recently diagnosed with Stage 1 throat cancer, and doctors then discovered an unrelated breast cancer while she was getting a throat screening.
Navratilova, 66, said she’s been given a positive prognosis and is confident she will respond well to treatment, saying, “It’s going to stink for a while, but I’ll fight.”
Crucial Quote
“This double whammy is serious but still fixable,” Navratilova told Tennis.com.
Key Background
Navratilova is considered one of the top icons of women’s tennis, both for her on-the-court accomplishments and activism outside the arena. She won 18 Grand Slam singles titles between 1978 and 1990—tied for the fifth-most of all-time, before retiring from singles play in 1994. She continued her career playing doubles and mixed doubles events until retiring for good after winning the mixed doubles tournament at the U.S. Open in 2006 at age 49. Off the court, Navratilova has become well-known as an advocate for gay rights after coming out in 1981. She has also become a prominent tennis broadcaster since stepping off the court, providing commentary for many Grand Slam tournaments in recent years.
Further Reading
Martina Navratilova diagnosed with Stage 1 throat cancer; early-stage breast cancer rediscovered (Tennis.com)
Sports Icon Martina Navratilova Battled Tennis Foes On The Court And Breast Cancer Off The Court (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicholasreimann/2023/01/02/tennis-legend-martina-navratilova-diagnosed-with-throat-and-breast-cancer/