She is undoubtedly one of the most precocious players of her generation. By the time she was 17 years old, Martina Navratilova had made it to the quarter-finals in the French International Championships at Roland-Garros (1973).

Since leaving her native Czechoslovakia in 1975 and seeking political asylum in the United States, she has become one of her adopted country's leading players. Her decision to defect was made during the Forest Hills championships in which she, together with the Russian Olga Morozova and her compatriot Regina Marsikova, were Eastern Europe's top three representatives.

A somewhat aggressive left-handed player, she is endowed with an exceptional temperament and outstanding physical qualities which often allow her to compensate gaps in her technique. Her best stroke by far is her volley. Martina Navratilova would undoubtedly have succeeded in other disciplines had she wished to, probably in athletics and skiing.

A spectacular player, she has a long list of victories to her credit, starting with the title (her first) of Czechoslovak champion, which she won in 19 71 at the age of 15. Martina Navratilova caused a sensation at Roland-Garros. Only 17 years old, she reached the quarter-finals before going down to Helga Masthorf (7-6, 6-3). A few weeks later, she was the talk of Le Touquet during the Annie Soisbault Cup reserved for under-21s. She ranks fifth in the world, but has been conspicuous by her absence from Roland-Garros and Melbourne, though she is a regular competitor at Wimbledon.

MARTINA NAVRATILOVA Born Oct. 18, 1956, in Prague, CZE

AWARDS AND RECORDS
Czechoslovak champion from 1971 until 1974
Winner of BP Cup (under 21s) 1973 with Czechoslovakia
Winner of Annie Soisbault Cup (under-21s) 1974
Runner-up in Australian International Championships 1974
Runner-up in Italian Championships 1974, 1975
Runner-up in French Championships 1975
Semi-finalist in Forest Hills 1975
Semi-finalist in Wimbledon 1976
Winner of doubles in 1975 Italian Championships with Chris Evert
Winner of doubles in 1975 French Championships with Chris Evert
Winner of doubles at Wimbledon 1976 with Chris Evert
Winner of mixed doubles in USA 1976 with Richey

Photo: French Championships 1975: Martina Navratilova in the finals