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Sport	Tennis
Name	Martina Navratilova
Subtitle	A Precocious Talent
Number	34-21
Info	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.
Photo Info	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 French Championships 1975: Martina Navratilova in the finals
Copyright	© 1978, Editions Rencontre S.A., Lausanne Photo Presse-Sports-Explorer Printed in Italy 03 005 34-21