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| Martina Navratilova, who won 59 grand slam titles in total, believes tennis’ shutdown is bound to have an adverse effect on those building their legacies as they prepare to exit the sport |
Grand Slam great Martina Navratilova believes the current generation of tennis superstars face a threat to their place in history due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Roger Federer is currently leading the menโs all-time list on 20 singles titles while Serena Williams remains an agonising one more major win away from matching Margaret Courtโs womenโs record on 24.
And Navratilova, who won 59 grand slam titles in total, believes the sportโs shutdown is bound to have an adverse effect on those building their legacies as they prepare to exit the sport.
In an interview with Laureus.com, Navratilova said: โFor players like Roger Federer and Serena Williams, itโs time lost.
โParticularly Serena, Wimbledon being her best chance to break Margaret Courtโs record. Sheโs stuck on 23 and tries to get to 24, maybe 25.
โItโs an opportunity lost when youโre not getting any younger. If I was sitting in that position Iโd be going nuts that I canโt play.
โEverybodyโs in the same boat, but for the old players like Roger and even Rafa (Rafael Nadal) and particularly Serena, itโs more difficult, no doubt about that.โ
Navratilova won nine Wimbledon singles titles and achieved her last success at the All England Club in 2003, when she teamed up with Leander Paes to win the mixed doubles crown at the age of 46 years and eight months.
And she revealed the coronavirus-induced lockdown means this will be the first year that she has not been in London for the Wimbledon Championships.
Navratilova added: โFor tennis players, at New Year, we always toast Wimbledon. I have been coming to Wimbledon since I was 16. I have not missed one of them.
โNow itโs the first time without Wimbledon and Iโm itching to get on a plane and just touch the grass.โ
Press Associationn
