Stories of the Open Era: Martina Navratilova

This week, Tennis Channel’s Stories of the Open Era features one of the most decorated athletes in all of sports, Martina Navratilova. The former world No. 1 accumulated an astonishing 59 Grand Slam titles in singles, doubles and mixed doubles—the most in Open Era history.

While Navratilova was a threat on all surfaces, it was on grass where she shined the most. The Czech-turned-American won her first Wimbledon crown in 1978, where she came from a set down to claim her first Grand Slam singles title, over American darling Chris Evert.

Between 1978 and 1990, the grass-court queen won nine Wimbledon trophies. In six of those nine victories, Navratilova defeated Evert, who dominated their rivalry on clay. In 1987, Navratilova defeated an 18-year-old Steffi Graf, who would avenge the loss the following year in the final and also beat Navratilova in the 1989 championship match.

Navratilova’s doubles game on grass was equally as impressive. She took home seven women’s doubles and four mixed doubles trophies at the All England Club for a total of 20 Wimbledon titles. It wasn't until September 2006—a month shy of turning 50—that she hung up her racquet after winning the US Open mixed doubles title.

The player-turned TV analyst remains heavily involved in the sport. She continues to be a vocal advocate for social change, something she demonstrated as a teenager when she sought political asylum in the United States due to circumstances in the former Czechoslovakia.