Navratilova Inducted into Hall of Fame
N E W P O R T, R.I., July 16 -- — Martina Navratilova, winner of 18career Grand Slam singles titles and a record 233 tournamenttriumphs, took her place in the International Tennis Hall ofFame Saturday.
Navratilova was ushered into the Hall of Fame along withAustralian Mal Anderson, a former U.S. singles champion andDavis Cup star in the 1950s, and Californian Robert Kelleher, aformer non-playing U.S. Davis Cup captain and an administratorwho played a key role in the advent of the open tennis era.
Anderson, an Australian Davis Cupper in 1954, 1957, 1958 and1973, became the first unseeded player to win the U.S. titlewhen he beat rival Ashley Cooper in the 1957 final.
Anderson, who teamed up with compatriot John Newcombe to winthe 1973 Australian Open doubles at the age of 37, also reachedthe finals of the 1958 U.S. Open and the 1957 and 1958Australian Opens only to lose to Cooper.
Skills and Style Distinguished Her
Navratilova was an irresistible force, who ruled in doublesas well as in singles.
Besides logging 331 weeks as the world number one women’ssingles player, Navratilova compiled 165 career doubles titlesand achieved a doubles Grand Slam sweep with partner Pam Shriverin 1984.
Navratilova, whose athleticism, fitness and dedication toaggressive serve-and-volley tactics set her apart on the women’stour, said the thing about her career that made her most proudwas summed up in the word, “committment.”
Although she turned professional at 17, Navratilova said shedid not become totally serious about her career until the early’80s when she recognized the importance of conditioning.
“I really started late as far as total commitment to thegame and conditioning were concerned,” she said. “The thing Ihave noticed the most in recent tennis is the stress the youngpeople are putting on conditioning.
“Even the coaches are exercising. I was almost 26 when Ireally got going. I’m happy that I finally gave it my bestshot.”
