• Tennis news

Navratilova battling breast cancer

ESPN staff
April 7, 2010
Martina Navratilova is expected to start radiation therapy in May © Getty Images
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Martina Navratilova has revealed she has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

The disease was detected via a routine mammogram and it is understood the 53-year-old will begin six weeks of radiation therapy next month.

And although the prognosis is positive, the nine-time Wimbledon singles champion admitted she was devastated by the diagnosis.

"It knocked me on my ass, really. I feel so in control of my life and my body, and then this comes, and it's completely out of my hands," she told People magazine. "It was a total shock because I've been so healthy. I thought, I'm going to lose my boob and then my hair, and I don't have that much."

The former world No. 1, who has had the lump removed, is thankful she had the routine scan - four years since her last check-up. "I let it slide. Everyone gets busy, but don't make excuses. I stay in shape and eat right, and it happened to me. Another year and I could have been in big trouble."

Born in Prague, Navratilova moved to the United States in 1975 and now has dual nationality. She still plays tennis, although her last tournament at SW19 was in July 2006, and regularly competes in triathlons.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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