Martina Navratilova has vowed to “fight with all I have” after she was diagnosed with two separate forms of cancer.
The 66-year-old, a towering figure in the sport’s history who won a combined total of 59 grand slam titles in singles and doubles, will begin treatment later this month after she was found to be suffering from early-stage throat and breast cancer.
Navratilova became aware of the problem during the WTA Finals in Fort Worth, Texas in early November, when she noticed a swollen lymph node in her neck.
The nine-time Wimbledon champion, who was successfully treated for stage 1 breast cancer in 2010, subsequently underwent tests that identified the nature of the problem.
“This double whammy is serious but still fixable,” said Navratilova. “I’m hoping for a favourable outcome. It’s going to stink for a while but I’ll fight with all I have got.”
As the tennis world took in the news, Billie Jean King led messages of support for Navratilova.
“Martina is as brave as she is strong,” wrote King. “She has fought this battle before, and she is in our thoughts and prayers.”
King’s sentiments were echoed by the All England Club, where Navratilova won half of her 18 major singles titles.
“Wishing our most decorated singles champion a swift and full recovery,” read a tweet from the official account of the Wimbledon Championships.
Navratilova’s wife, Julia Lemigova, took to social media to thank the former world No 1’s well-wishers.
“Thank you to everyone who has reached out to share words of support,” Lemigova, who has been married to Navratilova since 2014, wrote on Instagram.
“Together, we will fight this.”
While unable to travel to Melbourne this year, Navratilova hopes to contribute to television coverage of the Australian Open by video link, according to her agent Mary Greenham.
“Martina Navratilova has been diagnosed with stage one throat cancer,” said Greenham in a statement. “The prognosis is good and Martina will start her treatment this month.
“The cancer type is HPV [human papillomavirus] and this particular type responds 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 down, a biopsy was performed, the results came back as stage one throat cancer.
“At the same time as Martina was undergoing the tests for the throat, a suspicious form was found in her breast, which was subsequently diagnosed as cancer, completely unrelated to the throat cancer.
“Both these cancers are in their early stages with great outcomes.”