The secret of evergreen Martina Navratilova's successis neither hidden in some age-proof magic potion nor a designer drug concoctedat some North American laboratory. But it has got to do with the 'age old'mantra of hard work and enjoying what one does.
At a time when players of her grandchildren's age arestruggling to cope with the punishing schedule of professional tennis, the48-year-old legend has stayed fit and proved to be more than a challenge to heryounger opponents.
The legend, on her first official visit to India toplay in the WTA Tour Hyderabad Open, put the reason behind her success succintly:"The tennis ball does not know the age of the players."
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"When I started playing I was playing againstseniors, and now the roles are reversed," Navratilova said on the eve ofthe $140,000 Tier 4 tournament.
"One has to love what one does and work hard. Atthe same time play other sports as well and engage in other activities,"said the Czech-born American who has 167 singles titles, including 16 grandslams, to her name.
She is also the only player, man or woman, to have wonat least once all the grand slam crowns. Is she ever bored of winning so manytitles?
"Do you get bored with life?" pat comes thereply.
Navratilova, whose Indian connection has so far been restricted to winning mixeddoubles titles with Leander Paes, is fascinated by the country's vegetarianismand sheer strength of democracy.
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"Amount of vegetarianism ... it's funny. If youare in Europe, other than the UK, if you say you are a vegetarian, they will tryto give you fish," she said.
"I was a vegetarian for seven years," sheadded as an after thought.
"Amount of people living here... and how itworks... it's amazing," she added.
Navratilova retired from singles in 1994 beforeattempting a comeback in 2003, only to find the 11-month Tour calendar toodemanding. She has since then restricted her ambitions to winning in doubles.
She will be competing in doubles event here with Anna-LenaGroenefeld of Germany as partner. That might have dampened the spirit of homefans who would have loved to see her play with local favourite Sania Mirza.
Her decision has been more in keeping with hercompetitive nature.
Asked for her opinion on Sania, Navratilova said theHyderabad girl was talented and had the potential to break into the top 50.
"It's important for girls to make a difference andbe role models. It's an opportunity for others in India to draw inspiration fromher."
PTI
