Martina Navratilova gets emotional as American broadcaster Robin Roberts celebrates 10th anniversary of GMA return after bone marrow transplant

Martina Navratilova, who has been a great admirer of Robin Roberts, lauded the American anchor as ABC's Good Morning America celebrated 10 years since her return to the show after a lifesaving bone marrow transplant.

Navratilova announced to the world that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer via Robin Roberts' show back in 2010. She is an ardent admirer of the Good Morning America host, who herself was earlier diagnosed with a similar condition.

Subsequently, Roberts was found to have myelodysplastic syndrome, a rare blood disorder that affects the bone marrow, for which she underwent treatment.

Martina Navratilova

@Martina

I am not crying, you are… twitter.com/gma/status/162…

Good Morning America

@GMA

"I was really grateful to be able to say once again ‘Good Morning America’ ... and hopeful that by being back, I could somehow be a symbol to others going through something that this too shall pass."

@GMA celebrates 10 years since @RobinRoberts' lifesaving bone marrow transplant

101

5

"I was really grateful to be able to say once again ‘Good Morning America’ ... and hopeful that by being back, I could somehow be a symbol to others going through something that this too shall pass."

@GMA celebrates 10 years since @RobinRoberts' lifesaving bone marrow transplant https://t.co/FMrbEBfofl

I am not crying, you are…😎😘 twitter.com/gma/status/162…

"I am not crying, you are," wrote Navratilova on Twitter.

Students at Hofstra University were part of a nationwide bone marrow drive to commemorate the occasion on Tuesday. Roberts returned to Good Morning America 10 years ago on February 20, 2013, after she received a bone marrow transplant from her sister Sally-Anne Roberts.

Back in 2015, the nine-time Wimbledon champion had highlighted Robin Roberts' health battle, telling the GMA presenter that she inspired many.

Martina Navratilova

@Martina

Robin Roberts On Health Battles: 'At One Point I Actually Gave Up'- stay strong Robin - you inspire many:) huff.to/1LsVenk

19

8

Robin Roberts On Health Battles: 'At One Point I Actually Gave Up'- stay strong Robin - you inspire many:) huff.to/1LsVenk

Navratilova and Roberts have had more than their share of health scares.

Navratilova was diagnosed with stage-one throat cancer & breast cancer last month. Calling her own diagnosis a "double whammy," the tennis legend disclosed that despite her diagnosis, she was hoping for a favorable outcome.

Georgie Heath

@GeorgieHeath27

18-time Grand Slam champion Martina Navratilova diagnosed with stage-one throat cancer & breast cancer.

“The double whammy is serious, but fixable, & I'm hoping for a favourable outcome," she said. "It's going to stink for a while, but I'll fight with all have I got."

243

45

18-time Grand Slam champion Martina Navratilova diagnosed with stage-one throat cancer & breast cancer.

“The double whammy is serious, but fixable, & I'm hoping for a favourable outcome," she said. "It's going to stink for a while, but I'll fight with all have I got." https://t.co/msiLHBdnLh

"The double whammy is serious, but fixable, & I'm hoping for a favourable outcome," she said. "It's going to stink for a while, but I'll fight with all have I got."

"Hanging in there" - Martina Navratilova thanks fan for inquiring about her health

Martina Navratilova at WTA's "Her Health Advantage" Event presented by Hologic

Martina Navratilova recently revealed that she was "hanging in there" in response to a query regarding how she was coping with her latest diagnosis.

Martina Navratilova

@Martina

@Alba_Dawn Hanging in there, thanks:)

4

@Alba_Dawn Hanging in there, thanks:)

"Hanging in there, thanks."

The 59-time Grand Slam champion was responding to an uplifting message by a fan who tried to remind her of just how strong she is.

Dawn

@Alba_Dawn

@Martina How are you @Martina? Just remember, nothing can beat YOU.

1

@Martina How are you @Martina? Just remember, nothing can beat YOU. 💪

"How are you Martina? Just remember, nothing can beat you."

Martina Navratilova holds the record for being the only player in history to have been ranked No. 1 in both singles and doubles for over 200 weeks.

She held the top spot in singles for a whopping 332 weeks while also dominating the doubles category where she was World No. 1 for 237 weeks.

While dominating the doubles scene with Pam Shriver by her side, Navratilova also bagged six consecutive singles Grand Slam titles in 1983 and 1984.

Jeff Klein

@SportsCrockpot

This day in sports history (July 3): In 1982, Martina Navratilova won the 1st of 6 consecutive #Wimbledon singles championships. Six straight Wimbledon titles is a record in both the Open Era & Pre-Open Era. Navratilova won 18 Grand Slam singles & 31 doubles titles. #tennis

2

This day in sports history (July 3): In 1982, Martina Navratilova 🇺🇸 won the 1st of 6 consecutive #Wimbledon singles championships. Six straight Wimbledon titles is a record in both the Open Era & Pre-Open Era. Navratilova won 18 Grand Slam singles & 31 doubles titles. #tennis https://t.co/ikDJ77cNIC

The Czechoslovakian-born player, who moved to the United States, retired from competitive tennis in 2006 but remains active on social media and is also a tennis analyst.

​