66 year old Tennis legend and 18 time Grand Slam singles champion Martina Navratilova has been diagnosed with throat and breast cancer.
Navratilova previously had treatment for early stage breast cancer in 2010, and will not now travel to the Australian Open to work as a TV pundit.
A statement from her representative read “Martina has been diagnosed with stage one throat cancer, and the prognosis is described as ‘good’ and she will begin treatment later this month”
Martina added “This double whammy is serious but still fixable, and I’m hoping for a favourable outcome. It’s going to stink for a while but I will fight with all I have got.”
“The cancer type is HPV and this particular type responds really well to treatment”
Navratilova felt an enlarged lymph node in her neck whilst attending the WTA finals in Fort Worth, won by Caroline Garcia.
When it didn’t go down, a biopsy was performed, the results came back as stage one throat cancer.
“At the same time as Martina was undergoing the tests for the throat, a suspicious form was found in her breast, which was subsequently diagnosed as cancer, completely unrelated to the throat cancer.
“Both these cancers are in their early stages with great outcomes.
Martina won’t be covering the Australian Open for Tennis Channel from their studio but hopes to be able to join in from time to time by Zoom.”
Main photo:- Martina Navratilova (USA) wins Wimbledon Championships Ladies Singles trophy 1987 by Roger Parker Fotosports International
