Legendary NBA player Bill Russell passed away on 31st July, and the entire sporting world gathered to celebrate his achievements. Many current and former tennis players, including Martina Navratilova, Billie Jean King, and others, mourned the passing of the NBA legend.
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Recently, the former NBA player’s daughter took to social media and compared her father with the great Navratilova. After seeing this, Navratilova showed genuine humility as she thanked Russell’s daughter.
Martina Navratilova shows humility after receiving praise from Bill Russell’s daughter
Earlier NBA announced that they will retire the no.6 jersey, which Bill Russell wore during his tenure as a Boston Celtics player. Apart from playing basketball, he was also known for his brutal and honest commentary while covering basketball matches.
Recently, Bill Russell’s daughter, Karen Russell, compared Navratilova‘s commentary with that of her late father’s. She said, “My friend @Martina reminds me of Daddy when she does color on tennis: informative, warm, and very funny.“
After seeing this tweet, Navratilova replied, “Thank you- I am deeply honored, especially today…”
😘. Thank you- I am deeply honored, especially today…
Navratilova has been working as a commentator and pundit for a long time, particularly after her retirement. Often, fans love her honest commentary during a match as she always backs her statements with facts, the same as Russell. It is also worth noting that Navratilova posted a heartfelt message on Twitter after Russell’s unfortunate demise.
Navratilova had one of the best tennis careers of all time
Just like Russell, Navratilova has been regarded as one of the greatest tennis stars ever to play the sport, if not the best. Moreover, her record as a tennis player is just phenomenal. Along with winning 18 Grand Slam singles titles, she has also won 41 Grand Slam titles in doubles and mixed doubles formats, prompting many in the tennis world to regard her as the best all-format player of all time.
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Recently, Serena Williams announced that she will retire after the US Open. Even though Serena won more Grand Slam singles titles, her overall records are nowhere near Navratilova’s. In her career, Navratilova won 167 singles and 177 doubles titles, the most in history.
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KEY BISCAYNE, FL – APRIL 04: Serena Williams of the United States poses for photographers with Martina Navratilova of the United States as she holds the Butch Bucholz Trophy after her straight sets victory against Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain in the final during the Miami Open Presented by Itau at Crandon Park Tennis Center on April 4, 2015 in Key Biscayne, Florida. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
However, it’s hard to compare different eras, many stilldebate whether Serena, playing in a more physically demanding era, is worthy of the GOAT title in tennis.
According to you, who is the GOAT between Navratilova and Serena, or do you have someone else in mind? Let us know in the comments.