“Literally a pain in the neck” – Martina Navratilova reveals unique struggle she faced during Australian Open night matches on her 68th birthday
On her 68th birthday, Martina Navratilova opened up about a unique and rather amusing struggle she faced during her career, specifically with night matches at the Australian Open. Known for her resilience and versatility on the court, Navratilova revealed that playing late-night matches sometimes left her with a literal “pain in the neck.”
This struggle was due to how the bright lights of the stadium were positioned during the night matches. These lights would often force her to crane her neck awkwardly while tracking high balls, especially lobs. While it might sound like a minor inconvenience, for someone like Navratilova—who was known for her attention to every detail of her game—this caused genuine discomfort. The awkward angles required to deal with certain shots under those lights added physical strain, a unique challenge she faced during her illustrious career.
Navratilova has always been open about both the physical and mental challenges that come with professional tennis. Though the neck pain caused by the Australian Open lights was one of the quirks of playing under such conditions, it never deterred her from performing at the highest levels. Her incredible adaptability allowed her to conquer these challenges and become one of the most celebrated athletes in tennis history.
Even in moments like these, where the environment played against her, Navratilova’s perseverance and dedication to the sport shone through, proving once again why she remains a legend, both for her on-court achievements and her candid reflections on the off-court realities of being a tennis player.
