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The Czech–American is considered among one the greatest players
of all time, winning a total of 59 Grand Slam titles across
singles and doubles.
"This double whammy is serious but still fixable," the
66-year-old said in a statement to WTA.
"I'm hoping for a favourable outcome. It's going to stink for a
while, but I’ll fight with all I have got."
Czech-born Navratilova, who became a U.S. citizen in 1981 and
soon afterwards came out as gay, was also diagnosed and beat
breast cancer back in 2010.
Navratilova added that the cancer was in Stage 1, and the
prognosis was good, with treatments to begin next week.
The cancer was discovered in early November during the WTA
finals when Navratilova noticed a swelling in her neck that did
not go down.
"Martina noticed an enlarged lymph node in her neck during the
WTA finals in Forth Worth," said Navratilova's representative
Mary Greenham. "When it didn't do down, a biopsy was performed,
the results came back as Stage 1 throat cancer.
"At the same time as Martina was undergoing the tests for the
throat, a suspicious form was found in her breast, which was
subsequently diagnosed as cancer, completely unrelated to the
throat cancer.
"Both of these cancers are in their early stages with great
outcomes."
"Martina won't be covering the Aussie Open for the Tennis
Channel from their studio but hopes to join in from time to time
by Zoom," said Greenham.
Tennis fans quickly took to social media offering support,
including another tennis trailblazer Billie Jean King.
"@Martina is as brave as she is strong," posted King on Twitter.
"She has fought this battle before, and she is in our thoughts
and prayers."
(Reporting by Steve Keating in Toronto and Tommy Lund in Gdansk;
Editing by David GregorioEditing by Christian Radnedge and David
Gregorio)
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