Navratilova ties record
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ByEurosport
Published 06/07/2003 at 20:48 GMT
Martina Navratilova rolled back the years as she equalled Billie Jean King's record of 20 Wimbledon titles on Sunday, winning the mixed doubles final with India's Leander Paes. "The last one here was 8 years ago and I honestly thought I'd never play here again," she admitted.
Eurosport
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Twenty seven years after winning her first title at the All England Club -- the women's doubles with her friend Chris Evert in 1976 -- the naturalised American finally reached the landmark win after she and Paes defeated Israel's Andy Ram and Russia's Anastassia Rodionova 6-3 6-3.
"I can't think I can't talk," said a jubilant Navratilova courtside, after the crowd had given her a standing ovation.
"They are all special but the last one was eight years ago and I honestly thought I'd never play here again.
"Best thing that happened to me was being dumped by my doubles partners and the same thing happened to Leander and that's how we got together at the U.S. Open last year and here we are.
"I think I need to take another piece of grass on my way out. I still have the piece I took in 1994 (after her singles final defeat to Conchita Martinez) so I think it's time for another patch."
By claiming her 58th grand slam title, Navratilova also broke her own record of becoming the oldest champion at one of the top four major events.
Aged 46 years and 261 days, she eclipsed the mark she set when she lifted the Australian Open mixed crown with Paes in January.
Paes, who was just three went Navratilova won her first title here, paid tribute to his partner.
"For this little kid from India it was a dream to be on Centre Court and when I was seven, eight years old, I watched Martina play and she really inspired me to be out here so today," said Paes.
"For me to be on Centre Court with a true legend of our sport and to win is a dream come true."
Having won her 19th Wimbledon trophy with Jonathan Stark in 1995, Navratilova came out of retirement in 2000 specifically to chase King's record.
King had won her 20th title at the championships in tandem with Navratilova in 1979.
Having smacked a volley winner on match point, Paes bowed mockingly in front his partner before the pair embraced.
The pair went up to the Royal Box to accept their trophies before making a brief return to court to grab the patch of grass in front of the bemused fans.
Navratilova's Wimbledon haul includes nine singles crowns, seven women's doubles and four mixed doubles successes. Her 58 titles place her second on the all-time list behind Australia's Margaret Court, who has 62.
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