"At this rate, Martina Navratilova will be announcing comeback" - Fans react to former World No. 5 Anna Chakvetadze returning to action after 10 years
Several tennis fans were left bewildered when Anna Chakvetadze's name appeared in the draw of an event 10 years after her retirement, with some even joking that a Martina Navratilova comeback might be on the cards too.
Chakvetadze's name, as an alternate, in the draw of three separate events has sparked speculations about a potential return to the court for the Russian. Her name has been mentioned in the brackets of ITF's Flanders Ladies Trophy Koksijde, W15 Duffel, and W15 Wanfercee-Baulet tournaments.
SURPRISE!
Former World No.5 Anna Chakvetadze, who retired back in 2013, has appeared on the alternates list of the ITFW25 Koksijde event next week and the ITFW15 Duffel tournament in the following week.
Let's see if her name appears in the qualifying draw this weekend! pic.twitter.com/6DxKTNnsBA
Chakvetadze, a former World No. 5, has eight WTA singles titles to her name. The 36-year-old played in the semifinal of the US Open and quarterfinals of the Australian Open and the French Open back in 2007.
Chakvetadze announced her retirement in 2013, citing her struggles with a back injury.
Surprised at the news of her possible return, tennis fans came up with a variety of strong comments on social media. One fan wrote:
"At this rate, Martina Navratilova will be announcing her comeback."
at this rate Martina Navratilova will be announcing her comeback twitter.com/wtarussians/st…
Another fan recalled Navratilova's successful US Open mixed doubles campaign in 2006 and tweeted:
"I remember in like 2006 when she won the U.S. Open mixed doubles despite being like 48. An absolute freak of nature."
@svitokaya I remember in like 2006 when she won the U.S. Open mixed doubles despite being like 48. An absolute freak of nature
One user backed Navratilova to win matches despite her age.
"Navratilova would actually still be competitive in doubles if paired with a younger wta player who does good in doubles. After all she won the mixed doubles USO at 50 years old so why not at 67," the user wrote.
@svitokaya Navratilova would actually still be competitive in doubles if paired with a younger wta player who does good in doubles. After all she won the mixed doubles USO at 50 years old so why not at 67😂
Another user proposed a team-up between the 18-time Grand Slam winner and any WTA player for guaranteed victories.
"I can tell you flat out that if you put Martina on a doubles court with a legit wta player, i'd probably take her to win a whole slew of matches," the user tweeted.
@svitokaya i can tell you flat out that if you put Martina on a doubles court with a legit wta player, i'd probably take her to win a whole slew of matches :)
Here are a few more reactions:
@svitokaya Steffi Graf to complete 2nd golden grand slam
@svitokaya If martina hugs the net she could win a mixed slam
@svitokaya WTA should start a wooden rackets tour. 🪵🎾
@svitokaya Bjk next
Ridiculous
@svitokaya she’d clear this lot ☠️
@svitokaya She’d still probably cook too 😭
US Open 2006: Martina Navratilova's last competitive match
Martina Navratilova finished her competitive career on a high in 2006, winning the mixed-doubles title at the US Open. The Czech-American joined forces with Bob Bryan at the tournament and defeated Kveta Peshcke and Martin Damm 6-2, 6-3 in the decider.
After receiving the trophy in New York's Arthur Ashe Stadium, Navratilova said:
"I have so many memories. Thank you for a great ride. I'll take this memory with me for the rest of my life."
Navratilova retired in 1994 but made a comeback in 2000. Thereafter, the 18-time Grand Slam singles winner enjoyed great success in the mixed-doubles category.
She secured two titles in 2003 — Australian Open and Wimbledon — with India's Leander Paes by her side. But after her 2006 US Open glory, the Czech-American finally called it a day.
"This was the last match. No more. No more," Martina Navratilova said.