• Martina Navratilova, legendary Tennis player suffers from throat and breast cancer

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    Martina Navratilova, legendary Tennis player suffers from throat and breast cancer

    The 66-year-old Czechoslovakian-born native American told about the diagnosis on Monday but added that both were treatable...


    Digital Desk: Martina Navratilova, the tennis legend, says she is hoping for a "favourable outcome" after being diagnosed with breast and throat cancer. The 66-year-old Czechoslovakian-born naturalised American told Tennis.com about the diagnosis on Monday, but noted that both were treatable. 


    It is not the first time the 18-time Grand Slam singles winner has been diagnosed with cancer; in 2010, she was diagnosed with breast cancer but was declared cancer-free six months later. "The double whammy is bad, but it's fixable, and I'm hoping for the best," she said. "It'll stink for a while, but I'll fight with everything I've got."


    Navratilova found an enlarged lymph node in her neck during the WTA Finals in Fort Worth, Texas, in November. "When it didn't go down, a biopsy was done, and the results revealed that she had stage one throat cancer," her representative said in a statement to AFP. 


    During the testing, a lump in her breast was identified, which was later diagnosed as an unrelated malignancy. "The prognosis is positive, and Martina will begin treatment this month," her agency added. 


    "The cancer is caused by HPV (human papillomavirus), and this type responds really well to treatment. Both of these malignancies are in their early stages and have promising prognosis."


    Navratilova's treatment in New York has caused her to cancel her plans to commentate on the Australian Open, though she will appear remotely on occasion. Navratilova's major competitor on the courts, Chris Evert, who became her friend, revealed in January 2022 that she had ovarian cancer but was confirmed by recovery in May.


    As a player, Navratilova added a new third dimension to women's tennis. Her powerful serve and quickness at the net helped her become the dominating player of her period, winning 59 Major trophies in total, including 31 doubles and 10 mixed doubles titles in addition to her 18 singles titles. Her record at Wimbledon is unrivalled, with nine singles titles to Roger Federer's eight men's titles and Serena Williams' seven women's victories.


    She also won seven women's doubles titles and four mixed doubles trophies at Wimbledon, the last of which came in 2003 when she was 46, giving her a total of 20 titles at the All England Club. Since her retirement, she has become one of the game's finest and most looked commentators. 


    Away from the courts, she has been an outspoken supporter of the LGBT community. She married her longtime lover Julia Lemigova in 2014, and the couple lives in Miami with their two daughters.