Martina Navratilova Interviewed By Yahoo! Sports Radio About Tennis And Dancing With The Stars
Steve Czabon of Yahoo Sports Radio interviewed Martina Navratilova. She and Tony will be rehearsing where she lives in Aspen, Colorado this week. They talk of her tennis accomplishments. She recalls her 74 wins in a row, etc. and her commitment and will to “prepare”. She says “winning” hasn’t been as important as “always doing and giving her best” which she plans to give to the dance floor. She would rather ‘play well and lose’ versus ‘playing lousy and win’.
Martina mentions Chris Evert and says she wouldn’t have been as good of tennis player without her and vice versa for how they “pushed” each other at the time. Chris was also one of the first of her friends to tweet and text her to tell her she was ‘a brave woman’ for doing Dancing With The Stars and wished her luck.
On why she decided to do Dancing With The Stars, Martina says the show has been asking her to dance for a number of years and Martina always said “no”. She’s always loved to dance, but, in heels and in front of people was one of her greatest fears. As an Ambassador to AARP, she’s always encouraging people to get out of their comfort zone and facing your fears, so she decided to do the same (“walk the talk”) and be an example by finally saying “yes” to Dancing With The Stars.
Martina also raves about Tony Dovolani in the interview and how fantastic he is. She’s “embracing” everything about dancing on the show …even the heels.
As for the other cast members, she thinks they are all terrified and the playing field is pretty even.
So far, Martina and Tony have been rehearsing 3-4 hours a day for 6 days a week. She discusses the differences between dancing and playing tennis so far.
Lots more of this super interview with Martina here.
Personal note: It’s interesting she and Tony are rehearsing in Aspen, Colorado this week. Let’s just say, living and training in “higher elevations” can have it’s advantages when it comes to sports, etc. 
ADDING: By the way, Howard Stern made a recent crack about Martina wearing a suit instead of dress on Dancing With The Stars. Below is how she replied. From USA Today. I’m loving this…
The tennis legend has responded with a tweet that may further pique Stern’s curiosity.
“I hear my favorite radio guy Howard is wondering whether I will wear pants or a dress,” wrote Navratilova. “Howard — expect the unexpected!!”
Navratilova also addressed the general expectation that she won’t perform all that well: “So I hear I am the underdog for winning dwts. Been a while since I’ve been an underdog, but that’s cool. We will be ready come the 18th!”
Everyone from the show always said how much fun he was and how much they liked him. I...
IMO I think she’s the woman to beat. She’s an awesome tennis player and has the discipline to last in the end. The odds are against her in Vegas so she’s going to be more motivated.
Howard Stern is an A-Hole! When I see Howard Stern put on his dance shoes and hit the floor, then any of his comments he says about dancing will be relevant, until then he can just STFU.
Martina is awesome…
@Sandy – LOL!
ITA about Howard. I will say, though – the season DWTS casts Howard Stern will be the season I find something else to do on Monday/Tuesday night… 
What a woman! Great interview and great come-back to Stern. I’m really hoping she’ll surprise a lot of people on DWTS.
Go Martina!
I’m with you guys! I really like Martina. She has such a great attitude and is just a great competetor. I’m really excited to watch her and Tony. At first I kind of thought ” Well, Tony is out of luck this season…” but as I have learned more about her I really think if Tony steps it up he could have one of his best seasons yet. Martina is so driven and mentally strong, shes a world-class athlete – something Tony has never had before as a partner before -, and shes a legend and will more than likely have a stable fanbase. I hope for great things for these two.
Well said, All! Couldn’t agree more with all you’ve written.
See, Martina is so good she’ll be ready the 18th ” One day early “.
disclaimer: I am a HUGE fan of Martins, have been for decades
Tony may well be Martina’s biggest hurdle. She’s a great athlete who is mentally and physically in the game and who will give her all to this endeavor. Tony, I fear, is a bit burned out and lacks imagination in his choreo (just my opinion) and in his teaching. I don’t think he’ll be able to push Martina, choosing instead to stay in safer territory and thus staying in the shadows. Time will tell (only 14 days!) – fingers crossed to Team LovaLani
@Zach (#7) – LOL. I’m just going to call that being prepared. Set up your schedule so you’re ready a day early. Then on “game day” you just chill. :8 No need for last-minute, panic rehearsals for a champ like Martina.
lol Yep, exactly Guys!!
I didn’t know who Martina was at first. I think some of it is I don’t follow tennis and it was a little before my time. I appreciate all the articles/blogs posted about her. I see huge determination and drive from her. She is obviously putting in the practice which could take her far. I agree with Linde that I think her biggest hurdle will be Tony. He’s played it safe for a few seasons now and lacks in choreography compared to some others. He probably could use a season off. Heck, I think Maks could use a season off as well. This season cast is great. You can picture huge potential out of all of them. I can’t wait for the season to start.
Still loving her approach.
I love her approach too, Wynn. This relatively lengthy interview covers a variety of topics and showcases M’s approach and personality well to those who don’t know her, even reveals her sense of humor. Loved her description of fans in the airport essentially shunting her aside and ignoring her so they could flock to Tony. (the poor guy must have been embarrassed)
Thumbs up to those who encouraged Tony and Martina to take advantage of the PR available to them, cuz this woman can handle an interview.
Thumbs up again to those that urge Tony to up the choreo a few notches and think outside the box to give Martina the best help he can. She’ll need it with this group, I think, no matter how athletically gifted and competitive she is.
The main reason I worry is that so many of the other celebs have performance experience – dancing, singing, acting – and I think of Martina as a what you see is what you get kind of person. Tho she does have an appealing sense of humor – dry and self-deprecating – and that may take her far. I’m a fan, hope she does well. And I really hope Tony pushes her hard, cause she’s eager and willing to work for it. Footwork probably won’t be a problem, but I hope he really works her on grace and musicality and projecting the character of the dance.