Martina Navratilova's achievements were honored in the Czech Republic, and she expressed regret about having to flee the oppressive regime of Czechoslovakia at the time.
Navratilova is one of the greatest players in tennis history. During her incredible career, she won 18 Grand Slam singles titles, 31 major women's doubles titles, and 10 Grand Slam mixed doubles crowns.
Navratilova represented the United States throughout most of her career after successfully gaining political asylum in the country in 1975. That led to the 66-year-old's Czechoslovakian citizenship being stripped.
More than 15 years after the Czech Republic and Slovakia split into two countries, Navratilova reacquired Czech citizenship in January 2008, becoming a dual citizen of the Czech Republic and the United States.
How differently the Czech government views Navratilova now was demonstrated when the tennis legend was given a silver medal by the country's senate president, Milos Vystrcil, in recognition of her achievements on and off the court.
Speaking after the honor, Navratilova said the only regret she has from her tennis career was having to run away in 1975 because of the oppressive regime that existed at the time.
"I am often asked if I have any regrets. My only regret is that I had to take that step. Tennis made my life beautiful, but having to run away, it also ruined something."
Navratilova remembers how the rest of her family suffered in Czechoslovakia at the time and is relieved that tennis has become international, allowing more children to play the sport and not live with restrictions.
"One does not realize how it will turn out with other people around. My sister suffered a lot, I won't even talk about my parents. I'm glad that tennis and sports are more international. That more and more children have the chance to play sports, get to the top and win."
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