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Navratilova 'Defects' Again From 'Worse' Bush Regime

Tennis champ regains her Czech citizenship

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 12, 2008 6:53 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Thirty years after defecting to the US, at the height of the Cold War, tennis ace Martina Navratilova has regained her Czech citizenship, the Independent reports. The racket star became a US citizen in 1981. She plans to retain her US citizenship as well but she had some harsh criticism for her adopted homeland's current administration,  comparing it unfavorably to the Communist regime she fled.

"The thing is that we elected Bush," she told a Czech newspaper. "That is worse. Against that, nobody chose a Communist government in Czechoslovakia." She once told a German newspaper that she "exchanged one system that suppresses free opinion for another—it's depressing." Navratilova, who retired for the second time in 2006 after winning in mixed doubles at the US Open, now plans to open a tennis academy for young players in the Czech Republic.

Martina Navratilova of the United States returns a shot to Jana Novotna of the Czech Republic during their match at the US Open tennis tournament in New York. (AP Photo/Ed Betz)
Martina Navratilova of the United States returns a shot to Jana Novotna of the Czech Republic during their match at the US Open tennis tournament in New York. (AP Photo/Ed Betz)   (Associated Press)
U.S. tennis champion Martina Navratilova smiles during a press conference in Tokyo, Tuesday, March 11, 2008. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)
U.S. tennis champion Martina Navratilova smiles during a press conference in Tokyo, Tuesday, March 11, 2008. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)   (Associated Press)
Tennis champion Martina Navratilova accepts the Stephen F. Kolzak award onstage at the 18th Annual GLAAD Media Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles, Saturday, April 14, 2007. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Tennis champion Martina Navratilova accepts the Stephen F. Kolzak award onstage at the 18th Annual GLAAD Media Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles, Saturday, April 14, 2007. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)   (Associated Press)
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COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
Ucantusethatname
Sep 14, 2009 1:33 AM CDT
Navratilova said, "I have exchanged one system that suppresses free opinion for another." Freedom in Czechoslovakia is not analogous to freedom in the United States. If you can't tell the difference, please renounce your U.S. citizenship. Of course, you would never bite the hand that has fed you so well.

Navratilova's nationality rebounds
Times (UK)

 
tennis • Czech Republic • Cold War • US Open Tennis • defection • Martina Navratilova

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