05 January,2013 03:42 AM IST | | Ashwin Ferro
Tennis legend Martina Navratilova will be in Mumbai today. The 18-time singles,u00a031-time doubles and 10-time mixed doubles Grand Slam title-winning former World No 1 will be here this afternoon to deliver a corporate lecture at a city five-star hotel. MiD DAY learns that former West Indies cricket captain Clive Lloyd will do the same.
Tennis Legend Martina Navratilova. Pic/AFP.
Martina has an Indian connection. In 2003, she teamed up with ace India tennis player Leander Paes to win the Australian and Wimbledon mixed doubles titles.
Paes was thrilled when informed about his former partner's visit. "I'm looking forward to catching up with my good friend Martina in Mumbai tomorrow. We've shared some crucial moments both on and off court and I'm at a crucial off-court juncture right now in my career with my film (Rajdhani Express) having released today, so I'm looking forward to chatting with her about it. She's a great source of inspiration, not only to me, but to the world," he said.
It can be recalled that Martina provided the Indian much motivation and support while fighting a major illness only a month after winning the Wimbledon title with her. In turn, Paes cheered her up when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010.
Martina Navratilova with Leander Paes after winning the 2003 Australian Open mixed title. Pic/AFP.
After being informed of her arrival, Paes called Martina. "I just spoke to her... she's in London and really excited to come here. I know for a fact that Martina enjoys watching movies. I also know that she's a great mover on court, so I plan to present her a copy of my film's music release and hopefully she can shake a leg to that.
"She has always praised my tennis. Hopefully, she'll have some good things to say about my film too," Paes signed off.
