In a grand event slated for the heart of Rome, tennis legend Martina Navratilova is set to receive the Golden Racket award.
This recognition adds another brilliant chapter to her indomitable career and personal saga. Following Stefan Edberg, Navratilova has been chosen as the honoree of the Golden Racket 2023, awarded by the Federazione Italiana Tennis e Padel.
This marks another monumental milestone in her career, a journey characterized by resilience, courage, and excellence. Giulia Soresina, Federal Counsellor, will present this honor before the women's singles final at the 2023 Italian Open on Campo Centrale.
Martina Navratilova's story is one for the ages. The sporting annals are replete with her victories, her astonishing records, and the indelible mark she has left on the game. But it's her personal journey, equally profound, that sets her apart.
Stripped of her Czechoslovakian citizenship by the communist regime, Navratilova later gained American nationality, symbolizing her resilient spirit. In 1981, she made waves by publicly coming out, paving the way for countless others. A cancer survivor, Navratilova's tenacity extends beyond the tennis court, underlining her status as a true champion.
The Czech-born lefty's game was characterized by a relentlessly aggressive style, replete with a fine one-handed backhand and an uncanny knack for net play. Her serve-and-volley qualities set a benchmark that few have been able to emulate, particularly on quicker surfaces. It's little wonder that Wimbledon swiftly became her favored battleground.
Her 59 Grand Slam titles remain a record, divided among 18 singles, 31 doubles, and 10 mixed doubles titles. Navratilova also holds the record for the most consecutive victories (74) among WTA players and is second only to Steffi Graf in total weeks as world number one, with 331 weeks under her belt. In a statement, the official Italian Open website informs:
"After Stefan Edberg, the Federazione Italiana Tennis e Padel will award the “Golden Racket” (Racchetta d’oro) 2023 to Martina Navratilova. This prestigious recognition will be handed by Federal Counsellor Giulia Soresinajust before the women’s singles final of Saturday on Campo Centrale at around 6.45pm."
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