Article courtesy of Reuters



Sport-Navratilova personality profile 

Martina Navratilova (U.S.) 1956- 

Martina Navratilova switched countries, redefined her physique and developed into
probably the greatest woman tennis player of all time. 

Navratilova grew up in Prague, defected to the United States in 1975 and became a 
U.S. citizen in 1981. 

An intensive fitness and exercise programme after arriving in America turned her 
into an awesome athlete. 

Between 1975 and 1995 she won 56 grand slam titles, including a record nine 
singles finals on the fast grass surface of Wimbledon which ideally suited her 
athletic all-round game. 

Highly articulate and politically aware, she was also at the forefront of the 
battle for equal pay for women. 

She made no secret of her lesbian relationships, which cost her a considerable 
amount of money in off-court endorsements.