Martina Navratilova once compared different generations in sports, using Usain Bolt as an example. She suggested that if Bolt had been born a generation later, he might not have achieved the same level of success he enjoys today.
Bolt is a retired Jamaican sprinter and one of the fastest athletes ever. He set world records in the 100 meters (9.58 seconds) and 200 meters (19.19 seconds) at the 2009 World Championships. Over his career, he won eight Olympic gold medals and eleven World Championship titles with his famous ‘Lightning Bolt’ pose making him a global icon.
In an appearance on Conversations with Tyler in 2018, Navratilova said:
“If Usain Bolt was born in 1930, I’m pretty sure he would not be running 9.2(s), whatever he’s running, 100 meters. It just wasn’t going to happen with those shoes, on those tracks. It’s a different ballgame.”
Navratilova then discussed how different Althea Gibson’s and Evonne Goolagong Cawley’s careers might have been had they competed in a different era.
“Me from 1990 would have beaten me from 1980, would have beaten me from 1973. You get better as you play. I would have beaten Althea Gibson. But if I had been born in Althea’s Gibson’s time and Althea Gibson was born 20 years later, she would be beating me because it’s the evolution of the sport,” the 18-time Major champion said.
“Nowadays, especially with the rackets being so different, you can’t really compare. But if Evonne Goolagong was born now, she would still be winning majors. The same with the guys, you’re a product of your culture and of your time,” she added.
Martina Navratilova: “Nowadays the game has gotten much more…it’s a little more tricky”
In the same 2018 Conversations with Tyler interview, Martina Navratilova discussed how modern tennis has evolved since her playing days. She described it as far more complex now than it once was.
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“Nowadays, the game has gotten so much more physical it’s a little more tricky for people to play really great tennis at 14 or 15,” she said.
The Czech-born American noted that players today benefit from advanced technology and healthcare systems that weren’t available in her era. However, she pointed out that the game has become more physically demanding, which could lead to increased health issues for players down the line.
“Things are easier, there is no doubt. But also they’re lasting longer because things are easier. You have trainers now. When I came on the tour, I pulled a stomach muscle the very first tournament I played. It took two months before I got well again,” Martina Navratilova said.
“Playing on hard courts, you see them slide. I’m like, “I still don’t know how they do that.” Sliding on hard courts, it’s like, “Ohhh.” There’ll be a lot more hip replacements in the future because of that. I think the game is more physical, so they get more beat up. Everybody’s hitting the ball harder because of the rackets, etc,” she added.
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