Martina Navratilova is a Czech-American former professional tennis player, widely regarded as one of the greatest athletes in the sport’s history[1][4]. Born on October 18, 1956, in Prague, Czechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic), Navratilova turned professional in 1975 and soon became a dominant force in women’s tennis, especially during the 1980s alongside her chief rival, Chris Evert[1]. Over a career spanning four decades, she amassed an unparalleled record: 167 top-level singles titles and 177 doubles titles, both Open Era records[1][4]. Her 59 Grand Slam titles include 18 in singles, a record 31 in women’s doubles, and 10 in mixed doubles, making her one of only three players (alongside Margaret Court and Doris Hart) to achieve a career “Boxed Set”—winning Grand Slams in all three categories[1][2]. Navratilova’s singles dominance was most evident at Wimbledon, where she won a record nine titles, including six consecutively from 1982 to 1987, and reached the final 12 times[1][6]. She held the world No. 1 ranking in singles for 332 weeks (second only to Steffi Graf) and was year-end No. 1 seven times[1]. In doubles, she was ranked No. 1 for a record 237 weeks and, with Pam Shriver, completed a calendar-year Grand Slam in 1984—a feat unmatched in women’s tennis[1][2]. Her longevity was remarkable: she won her last Grand Slam title, the 2006 US Open mixed doubles, just before her 50th birthday—32 years after her first major title[1][4]. Beyond her on-court achievements, Navratilova has been a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, women’s equality, and social justice, often using her platform to address broader societal issues. She was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame and has been recognized with numerous honors, including being named one of the “Top Forty Athletes of All-Time” by Sports Illustrated[4]. Though retired from professional competition, Navratilova remains a prominent commentator, author, and public speaker, maintaining relevance in the tennis world and beyond[4][7]. Her legacy endures not only through her records but also through her ongoing influence as a trailblazer for athletes and activists alike.