Navratilova to enter public service in 2005

espn.com ^ | 9/24/2003 | AP

[TexasNative2000]

LEIPZIG, Germany -- Martina Navratilova plans to get into public service after she stops serve-and-volleying in 2005.

Navratilova, who turns 47 next month, said Wednesday at the Sparkassen Cup tournament that she plans to play through the end of next season. Then, she wants to get involved with American politics, perhaps running for office.

"If Arnold Schwarzenegger can run for governor in California, then who knows? I have the muscles," said Navratilova, a Czech-born U.S. citizen who lives in Colorado. "I will be involved, especially the way things are going right now. The conservative party is too strong."

She ranks among the greatest tennis players ever, with a total of 58 Grand Slam titles: 18 in singles, 31 in doubles, and nine in mixed doubles.

Navratilova retired in 1994, then returned to action in 2000, playing mostly doubles.

She has won two major mixed doubles titles this year, at the Australian Open and Wimbledon. She and Svetlana Kuznetsova were the runners-up in the U.S. Open women's doubles competition this month.

"I felt 50-50 about playing next year, but then the idea of playing in the 2004 Olympics came up and that was a big carrot," Navratilova said.

She and Kuznetsova beat Aniko Kapros and Lydia Steinbach 6-2, 4-6, 7-5 to reach the second round of the $585,000 Sparkassen Cup.

"I enjoy playing tennis but I also enjoy not playing tennis," Navratilova said. "I love life whether it's with or without tennis."

[TexasNative2000]

Good luck with all that.

[Rodney King]

Well, I have no interest in her lesbian politics, but I didn't know that she has had such success at 47 - good for her.

[Graybeard58]

"I will be involved, especially the way things are going right now. The conservative party is too strong."

Another "Know Nothing" joins the fray.

[Great Dane]

Oh boy

[TexasNative2000]

Oh boy

Actually, I don't know if that's an appropriate response to an article about Navratilova. . . . .

[RonF]

Say what you will about Martina. But she's lived her life her own way and paid for it (think of all the endorsements she would have had if she wasn't an open lesbian), and hasn't bitched about it or filed any lawsuits against people or companies "discriminating" against her. Every dime she's earned she's earned, in stiff competition. I bet she'd be a formidable candidate.

[TexasNative2000]

Know Nothing is right. The 'conservative party' is strong because we have elected it to be so.

[TheBigB]

Could we recruit Anna to run against her? ;)

[TexasNative2000]

I'm not denying that she has earned everything she has won - I just don't think her politics will win at the ballot box unless she is in a very liberal district. No way she wins any state-wide office.

[Mr. Bird]

I wonder what her politics are, discounting for the obvious support of gay rights? She's an Eastern Bloc emigre, who has made a fortune and is taxed accordingly. She may be some sort of bizarre Havel-meets-Harvey Firestein.

[moyden2000]

Janet and Hillary will love it!

Bull Dyke Alert!

[wylenetheconservative]

Maybe the conservative party is so strong because of people like her pushing a militant homosexual agenda down people's throats and trying to subvert the whole moral code of our nation.

[ao98]

I think your right, she says her favorite novel is "The Fountianhead"

[Great Dane]

Actually, I don't know if that's an appropriate response to an article about Navratilova. . . . .

Could be either way, couldn't it. :-}

[TADSLOS]

I wonder if she supports Bush?

[TheBigB]

Martina is nowhere near a conservative nor a Bush-supporter. Look here:

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines02/0626-07.htm

[skeeter]

Another "Know Nothing" joins the fray.

The question is 'can she win'?

[TADSLOS]

Let me re-phrase the question.

I wonder if she supports bush?

[TheBigB]

Ahhh...in that case, probably so.

She should throw her jockstrap into the ring for Prez. "I promise to lick Bush like nobody else!"

[rftc]

She loves it, I am sure..