Tennis legend Martina Navratilova has won the fight against cancer for the second time.
She gives an emotional interview.
Munich – Of course, the fear was enormous even for the irrepressible fighter Martina Navratilova – after all, she had wrestled with her merciless opponent before.
After the devastating new cancer diagnosis, she spent three days in "total panic", said the tennis legend, "that I wouldn't be able to see next Christmas".
Then she took up the fight again - and now reported back with all the more gratifying news.
Martina Navratilova |
Born: October 18, 1956 (age 66), Prague, Czech Republic |
Grand Slam wins (singles): 18 |
Grand Slam wins (doubles and mixed): 41 |
Career record: 747:143 |
Tennis icon Navratilova is 'cancer free'
"As far as you know, I'm cancer-free," said the 66-year-old in an emotional interview with British presenter Piers Morgan about the doctors' assessment.
At the beginning of January, Navratilova made her renewed illness public, both larynx and breast cancer had been diagnosed at an early stage.
Navratilova, who was born in Czechoslovakia and became a US citizen in 1981, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010.
The irrepressible will with which the blonde athlete with the striking glasses had collected an unbelievable 59 Grand Slam titles (18 in singles) was also shown in the fight against cancer.
Martina Navratilova: "Giving up is just not in my DNA"
"Giving up is just not in my DNA," said Navratilova, even though, looking back at the grueling mix of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in recent weeks, she admitted: "It was definitely the hardest thing I've ever done." Almost seven kilograms took them off.
She had to put the plan to adopt a child with her partner on hold.
Navratilova shared which song helped her with radiation therapy: "One time I picked Elton John and then he started singing the song 'I'm Still Standing' that he dedicated to me at the French Open in 1980."
During her treatment, she also worked on a "bucket list" with things that she absolutely wanted to experience before she died.
It said about driving an "amazing car", revealed Navratilova.
She can now devote herself to it full of positive energy and without fear.
(epp/SID)
