Word: navratilova
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...Martina Navratilova, a lesbian who has fought her own discrimination battles, agrees. "I think they've been treated with kid gloves," she says, citing a display by Richard Williams after Venus beat Davenport at last year's U.S. Open final. "If Mr. Williams had been white and done that victory dance in front of Lindsay Davenport, he would have been reprimanded much more. People have been afraid to criticize them because they don't want to be called racist...
...Navratilova. "They have made excuses and not given credit to their opponents. They're afraid to show any kind of humility. Humble doesn't mean you're weak." Given that Navratilova, about to turn 45, is sitting outside a private court after running drills as self-flagellation for losing a doubles match at the French Open, it's understandable she's disappointed in their refusal to devote themselves fully to the game. "You can be a clothing designer later, but you have only so many years to be a tennis player at the top level...
...though the women players have better Q ratings than the guys, they still aren't getting the same kind of sponsorship deals. And, according to Forbes, none of the women--not even Kournikova--gets as much in endorsement cash as Andre Agassi. "Who's running the game? Men," says Navratilova. "How many men are going to step up to the plate for women? Not very many. It's Madison Avenue. The money will first go to the men, and if money is left over, it goes to us." It's more complicated than that. "There's not too many women...
...strength which she can claim--but not for more." Whole new ball game, Molla. No self-respecting Williams would let "but not for more" cross her lips, and muscled-up Jennifer will sweat blood on the court just as soon as rock-hard Andre. You can credit Martina Navratilova for this, what with the way she gave Chris Evert her get-thee-to-a-gym marching orders. Or you can credit Title IX, which for 29 years has said it's illegal to give boys more PT than girls...
Wills-Lenglen was a great rivalry, and King-Margaret Court was a great rivalry; but Lenglen sipped brandy during changeovers, and King admits she couldn't powder the ball the way today's women can. What Navratilova taught Evert says that no woman before Martina--the original Martina--hit the ball hard, really hard. And no one since has survived without hitting hard. Also: six of the Top 10 at Flushing Meadows have won Slams, and the injured Mary Pierce would have made seven. There is power; there is depth...