"Martina Navratilova is one of the few woman tennis player I respect" - When Goran Ivanisevic was left in awe of American legend's longevity on tour

Goran Ivanisevic once shared his admiration for Martina Navratilova, praising her remarkable longevity on the tour. He also noted that she was one of the few female players he respected.

Navratilova’s career is the ultimate story of defying the odds. She turned pro back in 1975 and didn’t officially hang up her racket until 2006—spanning four decades, which is pretty much unheard of in tennis.

While most players burn out or slow down in their 30s, the Czech-born American kept pushing, thanks to her intense fitness routines and dedication to staying ahead of the game. She racked up an incredible 167 singles titles and 177 doubles titles, including 59 Grand Slams—a record still unmatched.

Martina Navratilova's career trajectory struck Ivanisevic, and he made sure to acknowledge it during a media interaction at Wimbledon in 2004. The Croat was asked to compare himself to the WTA legend, to which he replied:

"I cannot compare myself. She is other level. She is from other planet, you know. She's 48, 50, I don't know. She won 6-Love, 6-1. It's too good. She won how many Grand Slam? How many tournament? More than hundred."

The former tennis pro continued:

"She is one of the few woman tennis player I respect. I have to admit, she's really great. You know, she's -- some -- I was reading in the French Open some of the colleagues of her, she gave her like hard time, why she's coming back, why she give to wildcard, she should give to younger."

"But look at her here. She's really looking good, playing good, running. I mean, is 48. Probably I going to be in wheelchair at 48. But she's just great, great. She's my hero, you know. And she's lefty. I always like to watch her," he added.

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