Martina Navratilova has been diagnosed with throat and breast cancer, the 18-time Grand Slam singles champion has confirmed.
Navratilova revealed both cancers have been detected at an early stage, and remains positive as she prepares to “fight with all” that she has.
“The double whammy is serious, but fixable, and I’m hoping for a favourable outcome,” she said. “It’s going to stink for a while, but I’ll fight with all I have got.”
A statement read: “Martina Navratilova has been diagnosed with stage one throat cancer. The prognosis is good and Martina will start her treatment this month. The cancer type is HPV and this particular type responds really well to treatment.”
The 66-year-old, who previously battled breast cancer in 2010, will begin treatment in New York later this month.
The 18-time Grand Slam champion noticed an enlarged lymph node in her neck when she was at November’s WTA Finals in Fort Worth, and a biopsy later revealed stage one throat cancer.
She was also diagnosed with breast cancer when a “completely unrelated” lump was found in her breast during tests.
Considering her upcoming treatment plan, Navratilova will not feature as often at the Australian Open in January which she was set to cover, and instead hopes to make occasional remote appearances via Zoom.
Navratilova has once again decided to speak up about her diagnosis, which she did in 2010 to help other women suffering, despite feeling “helpless” at the time.
She registered nine titles at Wimbledon between 1978 and 1990, and since her 32-year-long career ended, has become a prominent commentator and analyst. —Eurosport
