A Grand Finale to Martina's Career

Fittingly, the Martina Navratilova era ended with a Grand Slam win.
Playing in the very last match of her illustrious tennis career, Navratilova added to her long list of achievements Saturday in the US Open Mixed Doubles championship at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
She and partner Bob Bryan captured the title by defeating Kveta Peschke and Martin Damm of the Czech Republic in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3.
Navratilova, who turns 50 on October 18, retires from the game as arguably the best women’s tennis player of all-time, having won 18 Grand Slam titles and 167 total singles triumphs. She also racked up 178 doubles crowns, with 41 coming in major tournaments (31 women’s doubles, 10 mixed doubles).

While Navratilova’s playing career may be over, the celebration of her legacy will continue on. Prior to the US Open men’s final on Sunday afternoon, Navratilova and Don Budge will be inducted into the 2006 US Open Court of Champions in a special ceremony on centre court. A separate retirement tribute for Navratilova is also planned.

Navratilova won four US Open singles championships during her career, winning back-to-back titles in 1983-84 and 1986-87. She made eight other appearances in finals and compiled a career mark of 89-17 in 21 total singles appearances. As for doubles, Navratilova collected nine women’s doubles championships and three mixed doubles triumphs.

With this most recent victory, Navratilova became the oldest mixed doubles champion in US Open history, breaking the mark held by Margaret du Pont, who won the title in 1960 at 42 years, 166 days.

"I just wanted to keep inspiring people, the way they inspired me, and sort of show people that you can do great things regardless of your age if you just believe and, you know, go for it," said Navratilova after the match.

From the start of the match, Navratilova and Bryan had the backing from those in attendance who were there to witness the historic final match of a tennis legend. But Navratilova and Bryan didn’t need much help as they were in synch from the get-go, earning an early break of serve in the first set to gain the upperhand. Then at 5-2, the tandem broke Damm and Peschke again, as Bryan made a quick stab at a volley right at the net that dropped in for the winner.

Navratilova and Bryan continued to roll in the second set, as the fifth seeds' strong serves kept posing all sorts of problems for Damm and Peschke. For the match, Navratilova and Bryan posted a winning percentage of 94 on first serve and 73 on second serve.

Navratilova and Bryan turned their third break-point conversion at 2-1 of the second set and never looked back. Bryan closed out the win by rocketing an ace, and then hugged a joyous and nearly motionless Navratilova in celebration of the triumphant close of her career.

"Tennis is such a great life," said Navratilova after the match. "It has given me such a great life, but I'm ready sort of to move on. I still will stay in tennis and refocus my efforts elsewhere, but, I was just ready to go.
"I knew I was gonna play great tonight. There was no doubt about it."