Martina Navratilova Quotes (46 Quotes)


    People in the States used to think that if girls were good at sports their sexuality would be affected.

    On my first serve of the match, I thought 'OK, this is your first Olympic toss.' And it was a good one, and a good serve, and that was all the jitters I had.

    It's wonderful, it's been a while. It's been a long time coming. Been in a few finals, but no wins. This one was sweet. It's always nice to win with a new partner. You feel like you get better together and work together. We've done a lot of practicing together. It's very rewarding to see that you get better as a team.


    I was about 7 or 8 years old and watched Wimbledon, saw her play. I knew I wanted to be there.



    Whoever said, "It's not whether you win or lose that counts," probably lost.


    Sure I know where the press room is - I just look for where they throw the dog meat.


    The difference between involvement and commitment is like ham and eggs. The chicken is involved; the pig is committed.

    I've been talking to Martina about playing for a couple of years. Maybe I can convince her to play some doubles.

    That's just a footnote. Losing the tie is the history. If I was worried about it, I wouldn't have taken the risk and played.

    The image of women is changing now. You don't have to be pretty for people to come and see you play. At the same time, if you're a good athlete, it doesn't mean you're not a woman.

    Being blunt with your feelings is very American. In this big country, I can be as brash as New York, as hedonistic as Los Angeles, as sensuous as San Francisco, as brainy as Boston, as proper as Philadelphia, as brawny as Chicago, as warm as Palm Springs.

    Just by being out you're doing your part. It's like recycling. You're doing your part for the environment if you recycle; you're doing your part for the gay movement if you're out.

    She is one of the most talented young player in Europe, ... She is so tough around the court, just like her countrywomen years ago, she will be top-notched player someday.

    The moment of victory is much too short to live for that and nothing else.

    I think the (ATP) are just trying to get rid of doubles and they're doing it slowly, ... I think they're going at it completely the wrong way. I completely agree with the players because they had no say in the matter.

    The mark of great sportsmen is not how good they are at their best, but how good they are their worst.

    The weather couldn't have been better, ... It's a great little arena. You bring the fans close. The players like it, too. Good lord willing, we'll all be back next year.

    It actually speeds the match up, ... You do the challenge, you look at it, it takes 15 to 30 seconds and you're done with it. (Now) when you have a really big call that goes against you and you have an argument with the umpire and the linesman it takes a lot of time.

    It's been a long time coming. Been in a few finals, but no wins. This one was sweet.


    I have always had this outrage at being told what to, how to act, whom to love.

    If I feel strongly, I say it. I know I can do more good by being vocal than by staying quiet. I'd have a whole lot more money if I lied, but I wouldn't enjoy spending it.

    Disability is a matter of perception. If you can do just one thing well, you're needed by someone.



    She's definitely the sentimental favorite for the fans, for the media and for the locker room. I would love to see her win the whole thing. She's playing great tennis. I think she believe now she can do it. She's got the goods. She's had the best summer of anybody, and she's healthy.

    She just sped everything up as pioneers do, they bring about change. She changed opinions of people that had nothing to do with sports.

    Ten years from now we're going to say, 'How could we have done without it'



    Labels are for filing. Labels are for clothing. Labels are not for people.



    I am above all happy for my mother, who suffers from respiratory problems and is not able any more to take a plane to come and see me in America.

    I shouldn't say I'm looking forward to leading a normal life, because I don't know what normal is.

    The player ultimately has to take responsibility. If they're not 100 percent, they're the only ones who can make that decision.

    I came to live in a country I love some people label me a defector. I have loved men and women in my life I've been labeled the bisexual defector. Want to know another secret I'm even ambidextrous. I don't like labels. Just call me Martina.


    I've been in the twilight of my career longer than most people have had their career.

    She was very creative, had a great tactical strategy. She did things in the middle of the match like no one else did.

    It was time-consuming, but it was fun. I needed somebody to help organize it, I'm not very good at that, but all the words are mine. Trust me on that one.

    The players are against it. The fans are against it. They want to see doubles. It's just a very near-sighted decision by the tournament promoters.


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