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Journalism of Courage
Martina Navratilova’s dream of winning a record 21st Wimbledon title may have ended in bitter disappointment but the 47-year-old is still determined to finish her career on a high by winning an Olympic medal in Athens.
Navratilova and her partner Lisa Raymond were beaten 7-6 (7-4), 7-5 by the fifth seeded Liezel Huber and Ai Sugiyama in the semi-finals of the women’s doubles yesterday to ruin her hopes of edging ahead of Billie-Jean King who shares the All England Club record of 20 titles.
“This is pretty much an anti-climax but we gave it our best shot,” said Navratilova who first played Wimbledon in 1973 and went on to gather nine singles titles.
“But the Olympics was always our goal for the whole year more so than Wimbledon. That’s why I played one more year. We still have Athens to play for.
“It would have been nicer to at least have made the final here then you sort of feel as if you are making progress.
“We can still pick it up a notch or two and we know we have that,” Navratilova said.
Raymond, who has been Navratilova’s long-time doubles partner, admitted that she felt the pressure of trying to help her compatriot to what would have been a record title here.
“I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t something every time I stepped on court, but I wasn’t necessarily thinking: ‘Ok, this is her last Wimbledon, how can we win it?’
“It’s unfortunate but we have some big events to look forward to. Making the Olympics team was a big goal of ours and hopefully we can bring home a medal.”
Navratilova had seen her other title avenue closed off here when she failed in her bid to retain her mixed doubles crown. Navratilova and her Leander Paes were defeated by Wayne and Cara Black in the third round.
