Wimbledon great Martina Navratilova, 66, is diagnosed with throat and breast cancer as she vows to ‘fight with everything I’ve got’.
Martina Navratilova, Wimbledon’s greatest singles champion of all time, announced today that she has been diagnosed with two types of cancer.
Navratilova, 66, who won Wimbledon a record nine times, said she was diagnosed with throat and breast cancer after discovering a swollen lymph node in her neck in November.
“This double whammy is serious, but still repairable,” said the Czech-born American. “I hope for a favorable result. It’s going to stink for a while, but I’ll fight with everything I’ve got.’
The diagnosis of the former world number one comes after Navratilova was given the all-clear for breast cancer in 2010 following radiation treatment.
Tennis star Martina Navratilova announced today that she has been diagnosed with two types of cancer
The former world number one’s diagnosis comes after she was given the all-clear for breast cancer in 2010 following radiation treatment.
Navratilova, winner of 59 Grand Slam singles and doubles titles, will not be traveling to the Australian Open this month where she wanted to work as a TV pundit, but a statement from her representative described the prognosis as “good”.
“Martina Navratilova was diagnosed with stage one throat cancer,” the statement said. “The prognosis is good and Martina will start her treatment this month.
“The type of cancer is HPV and this particular type is responding really well to treatment. Martina noticed an enlarged lymph node in her neck during the WTA Finals in Fort Worth. When it didn’t go away, a biopsy was done, the results came back as stage 1 throat cancer.
Navratilova, 66, who won Wimbledon a record nine times, said she was diagnosed with throat and breast cancer after discovering a swollen lymph node in her neck in November. Pictured: Navratilova holds up her trophy after winning the women’s final for a ninth time in 1990
“At the same time that Martina was undergoing throat exams, a suspicious shape was found in her breast, which was later diagnosed as a cancer unrelated to the throat cancer.
“Both cancers are in early stages with great results. Martina will not be covering the Australian Open for Tennis Channel from her studio but hopes to be able to zoom in from time to time.”
Navratilova won a record nine Wimbledon singles titles between 1978 and 1990 in a career that saw her dominate tennis with a total of 18 Grand Slam titles.
Since her retirement, the former left-hander has become a prominent commentator on the sport and has been part of the BBC’s coverage of Wimbledon.
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