Navratilova looks ahead as tennis trail finally ends

By Bill Scott Sep 10, 2006, 23:55 GMT

New York - After more than 30 years of off-and-on tennis domination through the generations, Martina Navratilova has finally put her foot down after concluding the US Open - and her storied career - with a mixed doubles title.

'This was the last match, no more, no more,' said the tennis legend, who turns 50 next month. 'You can say 'definitely.' It's not 'allegedly.' This is definite.'

Observers could be mistaken for doubting her intentions after Navratilova added her 59th Grand Slam title - 18 singles, 31 doubles and 10 mixed - as she and California youngling Bob Bryan lifted the trophy over Czechs Kveta Peschke and Martin Damm 6-2, 6-3 into the early hours of Sunday.

Compared to her modest celebration of her first trophy three decades ago, in her pre-American days as a Czech-born player plotting to break free of the old Communist regime, the cheering that greeted her swansong was remarkable for the veteran.

'My first title in singles, I hugged a pole,' said Navratilova, holder of 167 singles and 177 women's doubles titles. 'I played in Orlando in 1974. After I won the match, I was so happy, and there was nobody to hug because I didn't know anybody. So I hugged a pole, a light pole, next to the umpire's chair.

'There was a picture in the paper the next day. I won 10,000 dollars and had to give it back to the Czech Federation. I was playing on 17-dollar-a-day per diem. Those were the days.'

Navratilova retired in 1994 but was drawn back to the game in 2000 for doubles only, winning with partners up to 30 years her junior.

With the rest of her life awaiting, the political, gay and women's activist has plenty of options, including a possible dip into American politics.

She admits that she has proved a point by playing for as long as she did.

'It's just a challenge, trying to see how well I can still play and not listen to the nay sayers that I can't do it any more because I'm too old,' she said.

'I'm breaking a record every time I play, every time I win, because I'm older than I was the week before. I'm just hoping to inspire people. I got so inspired by the fans and the reactions that I had over the years with people.'

Quitting while she was ahead is part of the plan for Navratilova, who said she could have carried on for another five years.

'My joints are working great. I've had some knee injuries this last year, but other than that, my knee's getting better even as I'm playing.'

Navratilova said that one of her first projects will be to get her trophies sorted out.

'Most of them are at the International Hall of Fame, because I've been moving around too much. Eventually I'll get a trophy case organized,' she said.

'But in the old days we didn't get that many trophies. Even the Australian Open didn't have any trophies or replicas. Tournaments just used to give you a check and a dozen roses. The roses have died long ago, and the money has been well spent.'