TENNIS

Martina Navratilova announces she has overcome cancer

The American tennis star, winner of 18 majors, announced in a message on her Twitter account on Monday that she has been cured of her throat and breast cancer.

MATTHEW STOCKMANAFP

US tennis player Martina Navratilova, winner of 18 majors, announced Monday that she has been given a clean bill of health and is now cancer-free. “After a day of full of tests at Sloan Kettering, I got the all-clear! Thank you to all the doctors, nurses, proton and radiation magicians, etc. What a relief #byebyecancer :)”, Navratilova wrote on her Twitter account.

Navratilova, 66 years old and of Czech origin, announced on 2 January of this year that she was suffering from throat and breast cancer - both in a “curable” phase. “This double whammy is serious, but still curable. I hope it goes well. It’s going to suck for a while, but I’m going to fight with everything I’ve got,” Navratilova said at the time.

Struck twice by cancer

The legendary player, who boasts 59 Grand Slam titles in her long list of honours between singles, doubles and mixed doubles, found out she had a ganglion in her neck at the 2022 WTA Finals in Fort Worth,Texas. After undergoing tests, the diagnosis was throat and breast cancer, fortunately both in the early stages of their development.

However, it was not the first time that Navratilova had suffered health issues, as she was treated for breast cancer in 2010.

Recognized as one of the legends of world sport during the 20th century, Navratilova marked an era in tennis with 332 weeks at world number one in 1978 and 1987 and victories in all four Grand Slam tournaments: Australia, Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the US Open.

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