Steffi Graf gets dragged as Martina Navratilova jumps to Chris Evert and Billie Jean King’s defense after being called out for not supporting women’s sports

Martina Navratilova has herself been against allowing trans athletes in women's sports.

Steffi Graf gets dragged as Martina Navratilova jumps to Chris Evert and Billie Jean King’s defense after being called out for not supporting women’s sports

Martina Navratilova (Right) and Steffi Graf (Left) (Image via Open Source)

Former American tennis ace Martina Navratilova who won a handful of titles in her career and has been pretty vocal about not allowing trans athletes in women’s sports was accused of playing on the tour with high levels of testosterone. Navratilova gave a rather furious response while dismissing this claim but she could not contain the debate around it and also could not stop the likes of Steffi Graf, Billie Jean King, and Chris Evert getting dragged in it.

The talks around Martina Navratilova being a ‘manly woman’ on the tour and winning titles due to high levels of testosterone have once again started. Quite obviously there are two sections of fans- the defenders and the accusers. While the accusers are going the distance to prove their claims, the defenders are seeking help from Navratilova’s colleagues. 

Among many, a user on X (formerly Twitter) pointed out how the likes of Steffi Graf, Billie Jean King, and Chris Evert have stayed away from extending their support to Navratilova in this tough time. 

“The amount of RESPECT I’ve lost for former FEMALE tennis players like @ChrissieEvert @BillieJeanKing & my all time fav #steffigraf! Especially Billie. Who has spent her life reaping the benefits of being an ‘ADVOCATE FOR FEMALE ATHLETES’ @martina deserves their support,” the user posted. 

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Martina Navratilova defends Billie Jean King and Steffi Graf for staying out of the debate

This post from the user tempted a response from Martina Navratilova herself who jumped to defend her former colleagues on the tour. Navratilova clarified that she has full support from Chris Evert while emphasizing that Steffi Graf has no business getting involved. About Billie Jean, the former American said that she has been always about inclusion.

Steffi-Graf-Martina-Navratilova
Steffi Graf and Martina Navratilova (Image via TennisPAL)

“Chris is giving me support, you got that one wrong. Steffi is not involved at all. And Billie- well, she is for inclusion. Go figure,” said Navratilova. Meanwhile, Evert showed her support by writing, “I prioritize fairness in women’s sports. I have always supported Martina on this…..”

It is worth mentioning that Martina Navratilova has been strictly against trans athletes in women’s sports. She has called it blatant cheating in the past. “It’s insane and it’s cheating. I am happy to address a transgender woman in whatever form she prefers, but I would not be happy to compete against her. It would not be fair,” Navratilova wrote in one of her columns for Sunday Times.

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