July 10, 2007 | Anna Kubišta, Vendula Veselá
The most celebrated female tennis player of all time, and a woman who decided to help where it was possible; a writer and advocate of healthy eating; an uncompromising business woman and perhaps even a future Olympic ambassador. Martina Navrátilová is like a cat with many lives, all of them very diverse, but also successful. Where does this multi-talented woman feel at home? And where will she spend her “old age”? You’ll find the answers to these and other questions in the following interview.
For those of us who don’t know your background, why did you leave the former Czechoslovakia?
I left because the federation didn’t allow me to play tennis in America, where ninety percent of the tournaments are played. I didn’t know if they would allow me to go anywhere. And for me, as a tennis player, that meant that I couldn’t continue in my career. So I stayed there and didn’t return.
Do you remember you thoughts and feelings at the time? Can you still recall them?
I can very well. Americans were so paranoid that they would take me back to Czechoslovakia. Which I thought would never happen. If I were a Russian, maybe I would be a little scared, but Czechs didn’t do things like that. Mostly, I was afraid that my parents and sister might come into trouble. If something happened to them, would I be able to come at all? Then I would have been able to come, but then there wouldn’t be a way back. A person doesn’t know what might happen; what the future will bring. I never had any doubts about tennis. I knew that I would manage. But that was the worst.
Martina Navrátilová. Source: Portal Sport-invest.cz
Did you take anything with you to the Unites States that would remind you of home?
No, I didn’t know that I would stay there. I just packed and left for a month to play a tournament in America.
Where do you feel at home? Or what does home mean to you?
I feel at home when I am with my partner. For me, she is the most important person in my life and I really am at home where we are together. When we are in Florida, I am at home there, or in Colorado or here in the Czech Republic I am again at home with her. But I feel at home anywhere on the planet; I have traveled enough and speak many languages that I can communicate with people. Nothing is missing – almost. Maybe the sunshine, if I had to live in Alaska. Mostly, I am happy anywhere I am with my partner.
You are getting ready to take Czech citizenship again. How far are you in that? Why is it important for you? Is it some kind of symbolic, inner calling or need?
It’s still the same… so many documents are needed. It will probably be taken care of by the end of the year. What does it mean to me? It is symbolic, but it is also because I am here so often that it really makes sense for me. And why not if it the opportunity is there? When I need to take care of some things here, it is a lot easier. It is both practical and emotional.
How did you imagine life when you were a child? Did you yearn for fame?
At the time, a career wasn’t an option; you couldn’t earn money playing tennis. Professional tennis was beginning to exist, but it was really almost an impossible dream. It was never about the money for me; it was about the titles, to win Wimbledon, a Grand Slam title or any kind of tournament. In the past they didn’t play for as much money; only Wimbledon and Forest Hills – the US Open – were interesting financially. For example, we wanted to go to Australia, and play in Melbourne or Sydney, and there wasn’t a big difference, but today there is. The Grand Slams pay a lot more. For me it was about traveling, seeing the world and probably getting to the top in tennis.
Martina Navrátilová. Source: Portal Sport-invest.cz
What do you think of the new generation of tennis players? In what ways is it easier or more difficult for them than it was for you (not speaking of political conditions)?
I think that everything is a lot easier. Opportunities are much better, as is financial support. Of course, the whole approach has changed, because if I was 14 years old right now, I wouldn’t get much attention. I wouldn’t be at the top if I played with the style they do. They probably wouldn’t have even taken me on the team. That’s what I overhead listening to a conversation between two junior players. One asked the other who she was playing against, and she only said the number: she was playing against the 50th. That’s because when they win, they get a certain number of points in the rankings. That’s how it has changed. Back then there were five to ten girls and we all had a name.
What motivates you to compete? Is it nature or upbringing? What does it bring you?
It’s probably both, but probably nature. I was always happy to compete with myself. As a child I went around the garden, where there was a small sidewalk, and I would measure how long it took me to go around. I did it for myself, there wasn’t anyone there and nobody was watching me. Competition is so personal; top athletes always have it in them. At the time it interested me, it was fun. There was always something new going on – but I never knew how to do it and taught myself. The technique that they taught us in the 1960s changed about 20 years ago. And this new learning interested me and was fun. People were always saying that I was so “competitive”. I used to answer them by saying: Yes, but what am I supposed to do, when I train three to four hours per day, who am I supposed to compete with? I do it because of myself. It is internal. And it is probably nature.
Do you regret anything in your career? Would you have changed anything? Or are you focused on what’s going on at the moment?
No, I don’t regret anything, because I tried. If I was to do anything again, I would probably try to get a trainer much earlier. There (in the United States - ed.), I was completely alone for six years. From 18 to 25 I was alone, without a trainer. So I lost six-seven years, which, from a physical perspective, were the best. Psychologically, it was fine, but physically, I missed that. Do I regret it? No. I did the best I could.
Were you happy to learn that Prague may host the 2016 Olympic Games?
The opportunity is for everyone. But whether it makes sense, I don’t know. It’s up to the experts to decide whether Prague and the entire Czech Republic can afford it. And what will it look like after the Games? The Olympic Games last three weeks. But what about in 30 years? I don’t know. Of course, emotionally, it would be wonderful to have the Olympics in Prague; it’s a dream for many people. But whether it makes financial, economic sense, I don’t know.
It has been said that you could be offered the position of Ambassador. What would that mean to you?
When they decide that that is what they want, then of course. I will support it. Why not?
Does Prague have what it takes for such an event?
I think so. Czechs have it in them. The character and nature yes, but whether there is the money for it, that’s another thing.
What would it bring Prague?
Prague doesn’t need any more fame, but I would say that if the Greeks in Athens pulled it off, then the Czechs will also manage. It’s about those future years. It would bring more fame, but do we need it? Prague already has enough tourists… For the rest of the Czech Republic, maybe. Of course, it would boost the economy, not only during the Olympic, but also afterward. I always see the positive things, but a person also needs to be practical.
You are also involved in civic activities. For example, you lent your name to the 3 Oaks (3 duby) civic organization, which is involved in reviving the trees in Prague’s Stromovka. Do you only support things that you truly believe in?
Yes, we worked on 3 Oaks with Monika Maurer. I think that something good came out of that. I am happy to do things for those that can’t help themselves, like the environment or animals, for example. I am still looking for a charity in the Czech Republic that actually brings together those two worlds.
Are you still considering establishing a tennis academy, which, it is said, could be based in the Czech Republic?
I am considering it and it continues.
Martina Navrátilová. Source: Portal Sport-invest.cz
Where would you like to spend your old age?
I would probably like to spend it somewhere in Africa looking at wild animals. That’s a really pleasant and unbelievable experience. A person heads out on the trail and has no idea what he’ll see. For me, Africa is one of my favorite places. Life there is as similar now as to what it was tens of thousands of years ago.
When you announced in December 1993 that within one year, you would finish with tennis, you said “Saying goodbye is a gradual and painful process. I am however, happy that I am finally seeing the end of my career. I have lived many years as if in a never-ending tunnel. Today I am looking forward to going out into the light.” So then, is the present brighter than the future?
It was different. In 1994, I really finished it. Then I had three to four years free. In 2000, I decided to start playing again. So the last six years have been the same as before. Now it has been almost eight months since the end of my tennis career, but I am traveling more than when I played competitively. At least then I was in one place for a week or two.
Now I am looking forward to going to Paris, where I will spend two weeks without traveling. In the last four months, I have only spent a week in one place. Otherwise, I have only stopped for two or three days. It wasn’t pleasant, and I didn’t imagine that life after tennis would be like this. I must be more moderate and slow down. But the rest of this year will probably be quieter. I did a lot of charitable events in the first months of the year and didn’t have time for a normal life.
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Martina Navrátilová (1956) is one of the most successful athletes of all time. She has won a total of 18 Grand Slam singles titles and 41 doubles titles. She stayed in the world’s top ten for an inconceivable twenty years. In 1983 and 1984 she was named the world’s best athlete. Navrátilová is often referred to as the most famous Czech, despite emigrating in 1981 and taking American citizenship.
In 2006 she put a definitive end to a very successful career. Currently, she devotes her time to charitable activities and uses her name to support projects that directly affect the environment and animals. She is renowned not only a tennis player, but also on account of her openness, after openly declaring her sexual orientation. She worked hard to ensure that the prize money given to female tennis players was at the same level as that awarded to men. As an author she has published several books.