On This Day

Martina Navratilova

Athlete

Born: American

Martina Navratilova is a Czech-American former professional tennis player. She was ranked world No. 1 in women's singles for 332 weeks (second-most all time), including as the year-end No. 1 seven times, and was world No. 1 in women's doubles for a record 237 weeks. Navratilova won 167 top-level singles titles and 177 doubles titles (both the Open Era records), including an Open Era record 49 major titles: 18 in singles, an all-time record 31 in women's doubles, and an Open Era record 10 in mixed doubles. Her nine Wimbledon singles titles are an all-time record. Alongside Chris Evert, her greatest rival, Navratilova dominated women's tennis for much of the 1980s.

Navratilova won a record six consecutive singles majors across 1983 and 1984 while simultaneously winning the Grand Slam in doubles. Navratilova claims the best professional season winning percentage, 98.9% in 1983 (going 86–1 for the season), and the longest all-surface winning streak of 74 straight match wins. She reached the Wimbledon singles final 12 times, including for nine consecutive years from 1982 through 1990.

Notable For

Czech-American former tennis player

Martina Navratilova's Historical Timeline

  1. Martina Navratilova is born

    Martina Navratilova, American athlete, known for czech-american former tennis player, was born on 1957-10-18. Martina Navratilova is a Czech-American former professional tennis player.

  2. Vitas Gerulaitis bets his house that the men's 100th-ranked tennis player could beat Martina Navratilova

    Vitas Gerulaitis bets his house that the men's 100th-ranked tennis player could beat Martina Navratilova

  3. French Open Women's Tennis: Chris Evert beats Martina Navratilova 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 for her 18th and final Grand Slam title

    French Open Women's Tennis: Chris Evert beats Martina Navratilova 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 for her 18th and final Grand Slam title and record 7th French singles crown

  4. French Open Women's Tennis: 17-year-old German Steffi Graf beats World #1 Martina Navratilova 6-4, 4-6, 8-6; Graf's firs

    French Open Women's Tennis: 17-year-old German Steffi Graf beats World #1 Martina Navratilova 6-4, 4-6, 8-6; Graf's first Grand Slam victory

  5. Wayne Gretzky and Martina Navratilova are named Athletes of the Decade by the Associated Press

    Wayne Gretzky and Martina Navratilova are named Athletes of the Decade by the Associated Press

  6. Wimbledon Women's Tennis: Martina Navratilova wins her record ninth Wimbledon singles title, defeating American Zina Gar

    Wimbledon Women's Tennis: Martina Navratilova wins her record ninth Wimbledon singles title, defeating American Zina Garrison 6-4, 6-1

  7. Martina Navratilova wins her record 100th singles match at Wimbledon, defeating Elna Reinach of South Africa 4-6, 6-2, 6

    Martina Navratilova wins her record 100th singles match at Wimbledon, defeating Elna Reinach of South Africa 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 in the first round

Associated Historical Events

birth

Martina Navratilova is born

Martina Navratilova, American athlete, known for czech-american former tennis player, was born on 1957-10-18. Martina Navratilova is a Czech-American former professional tennis player.

Vitas Gerulaitis bets his house that the men's 100th-ranked tennis player could beat Martina Navratilova

Vitas Gerulaitis bets his house that the men's 100th-ranked tennis player could beat Martina Navratilova

French Open Women's Tennis: Chris Evert beats Martina Navratilova 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 for her 18th and final Grand Slam title

French Open Women's Tennis: Chris Evert beats Martina Navratilova 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 for her 18th and final Grand Slam title and record 7th French singles crown

French Open Women's Tennis: 17-year-old German Steffi Graf beats World #1 Martina Navratilova 6-4, 4-6, 8-6; Graf's firs

French Open Women's Tennis: 17-year-old German Steffi Graf beats World #1 Martina Navratilova 6-4, 4-6, 8-6; Graf's first Grand Slam victory

Wayne Gretzky and Martina Navratilova are named Athletes of the Decade by the Associated Press

Wayne Gretzky and Martina Navratilova are named Athletes of the Decade by the Associated Press

Wimbledon Women's Tennis: Martina Navratilova wins her record ninth Wimbledon singles title, defeating American Zina Gar

Wimbledon Women's Tennis: Martina Navratilova wins her record ninth Wimbledon singles title, defeating American Zina Garrison 6-4, 6-1

Martina Navratilova wins her record 100th singles match at Wimbledon, defeating Elna Reinach of South Africa 4-6, 6-2, 6

Martina Navratilova wins her record 100th singles match at Wimbledon, defeating Elna Reinach of South Africa 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 in the first round

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Martina Navratilova born?
Martina Navratilova was born on 1957-10-18 (American).
What is Martina Navratilova known for?
Czech-American former tennis player
What historical events involved Martina Navratilova?
Martina Navratilova was involved in 7 recorded historical events, including Martina Navratilova is born, Vitas Gerulaitis bets his house that the men's 100th-ranked tennis player could beat Martina Navratilova, French Open Women's Tennis: Chris Evert beats Martina Navratilova 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 for her 18th and final Grand Slam title .

Related Years