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Last Updated: Aug 28, 2009

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Martina Navratilova Tells Life Story Exclusively On Tennis Channel May 24, 2009

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Martina Navratilova photo by: Cory Sorensen

Tennis Channel, the only 24-hour, television-based multimedia destination dedicated to both the professional sport and passionate lifestyle of tennis, will give viewers an inside look at the life and career of tennis’Äô all-time singles titlist, Martina Navratilova, this spring.  Signature Series: Martina Navratilova, is the latest edition in the network’Äôs original line of documentary films and debuts Monday, June 8, at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT.  The show will run throughout the month, with a complete broadcast schedule available at www.tennischannel.com/schedule.  The network’Äôs Web site will unveil exclusive additional interview footage online with the show’Äôs premiere.

The new-look retrospective chronicles Navratilova’Äôs remarkable story from her birth in 1956 through her mixed doubles victory at the 2006 US Open (and final match), just a few months before her 50th birthday.  Shot and produced in high definition, the film uses original footage, rare archival video and access to hundreds of family photos.  Unlike the numerous commentators used in each of the first three episodes of Signature Series ’Äì Andre Agassi, Rene Lacoste and Pete Sampras ’Äì Navratilova serves as the sole narrator for her phenomenal tale.

’ÄúFor the past 30 years, everyone in the tennis world has had something to say about Martina,’Äù said Laura Hockridge, vice president, original programming, Tennis Channel.  ’ÄúWe felt her story should be told by the one person who lived through it all: Martina herself.  Tennis Channel’Äôs unique relationship with her allowed us to paint the most detailed and personal picture ever of one of sports’Äô true icons.’Äù

Signature Series: Martina Navratilova runs chronologically throughout her life and allows Navratilova, in her own words, to tell the stories behind the headlines during the most controversial, joyous and painful moments in her life.  In addition to her on-court accomplishments and 167 career tennis titles, the documentary lets Martina tell the personal stories that helped shape her life.  These include:

’Ä¢    FAMILY ’Äì Navratilova had a short relationship with her biological father and as an adult learned of his suicide.  Her stepfather not only filled the void left by the death of her father, but played a significant role in her tennis career as well.

’Ä¢    PRODIGY ’Äì As a seven-year-old Navratilova was introduced to tennis, and her destiny changed with a subsequent tennis academy tryout.  Later, a crush on her tennis instructor would drive her to succeed.

’Ä¢    POLITICS ’Äì The politics of her homeland impacted Navratilova’Äôs life, and she discusses what it meant to have Soviet tanks and soldiers suddenly appear in her country.  She also details her courageous decision to defect to the United States at just age 18.

’Ä¢    COMING OUT ’Äì Navratilova describes coming out and the reaction of her parents, fans and the world.

’Ä¢    EMOTION ’Äì There were two occasions when Navratilova was overcome with emotion at the US Open.  She cried in defeat in 1976 as her world was crumbling around her.  Then, just a few years later, she broke down as the fans finally accepted her as one of their own, showing their admiration with loud applause.

’Ä¢    CHRIS EVERT ’Äì Navratilova reflects on her incredible 80-match rivalry and closeness with fellow Hall of Famer Chris Evert and why during competition she was forced to block out their friendship.

’Ä¢    TEAM NAVRATILOVA ’Äì Her athletic camp and inner circle played a pivotal role in Navratilova’Äôs championship achievements.  This included her relationship with Nancy Lieberman: both the professional success it inspired and the personal pain it wreaked.

Navratilova has played a leading role on Tennis Channel’Äôs telecast team since the 2007 French Open, the network’Äôs first coverage of any of tennis’Äô four major events.  Since then, she has been primary commentator for every Grand Slam carried by the channel, adding Wimbledon and the Australian Open to her duties and, for the first time this coming September, the US Open.

Tennis Channel (www.tennischannel.com) is the only 24-hour, television-based multimedia destination dedicated to both the professional sport and passionate lifestyle of tennis.  A hybrid of comprehensive sports, health, fitness, pop culture, entertainment, lifestyle and travel programming, the network is home to every aspect of the wide-ranging, worldwide tennis community.  It also has the most concentrated single-sport coverage in television, with telecast rights to the US Open, Wimbledon, Roland Garros (French Open), Australian Open, Olympus US Open Series, ATP Masters Series, top-tier Sony Ericsson WTA Tour championship competitions, Davis Cup and Fed Cup by BNP Paribas, and Hyundai Hopman Cup.  Tennis Channel is carried by eight of the top 10 MSOs and has a national footprint via DIRECTV and DISH Network.

© This Week In Texas


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