Martina Navratilova returns to tennis TV job for first time after getting cancer all-clear
The 18-time major winner revealed she is 'cancer-free' after receiving a double diagnosis, and has now returned to tennis punditry at the Miami Open
Talk TV: Martina Navratilova talks about cancer with Piers Morgan
An emotional Martina Navratilova has returned to her television role for the first time after revealing she is cancer-free. During an interview this week with Piers Morgan, the 66-year-old shared the brilliant news after battling against throat and breast cancer.
Navratilova announced her diagnosis in January and explained the heart-breaking process of battling against the cancer. She said: “I was in a total panic for three days thinking I may not see next Christmas.
"The bucket list came into my mind of all the things I wanted to do. And this may sound really shallow, but I was like, okay, ‘Which kick-a** car do I really want to drive if I live like a year?’" And now days after announcing her all-clear, the tennis great has returned to her job as a television commentator and pundit on the Tennis Channel.
Sat alongside Mark Petchey during the Miami Open opening day, Navratilova explained what it meant to be back in the commentary box. She said: "It's great to be back. I was so nervous coming in here and so excited. I was hoping to come in at Indian Wells, it's all worked out pretty well for me. I'm thrilled to be here and so happy to be working. How many people can say that?
READ MORE: Martina Navratilova declares she's 'cancer-free' in emotional Piers Morgan interview
Navratilova, who spent a total of 332 weeks as world No.1 during her illustrious career, was diagnosed with cancer for the second time after visiting doctors with an enlarged lymph node in her neck during November’s WTA Finals in Texas. Having previously had breast cancer in 2010, she knew that she needed to get it checked out with her throat and breast cancer confirmed after a biopsy.
The tennis great had radiation treatment every day for three weeks mixed with three weekly bouts of chemotherapy, admitting the treatment was “the hardest thing I’ve ever done”. The tennis world rallied behind Navratilova after her cancer diagnosis and she thanked them during her on-air return to broadcasting.
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She said: "I've had great support from the Twitter world, but the tennis world has come through with flying colours, I can't tell you how many people have been texting, calling and sending me flowers, it's just been overwhelming. Everybody everywhere have been really amazing. It puts you face-to-face with mortality, number one. I said at the beginning I wasn’t sure if it was treatable, so that was hard.
"But once I got into the program, it was a little easier emotionally, but more difficult physically, between chemo and in proton therapy, but I’m still standing. I made it up the stairs without using the elevator here, so it’s all good."