Martina Navratilova
Adoption plans are on hold because of cancer
Julia Lemigova (left) and Martina Navratilova at a premiere party in 2019.
© 2019 Ron Adar/Shutterstock.com
Martina Navratilova made her two cancer diagnoses public in early 2023. The adoption plans with her wife are now on hold.
Former tennis player Martina Navratilova (66) made her larynx and breast cancer public earlier this year. “This double blow is serious, but still repairable,” said the 66-year-old in a statement from January 2nd, which can be read on the website of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA). “I’m hoping for a positive outcome. It’s going to be tough for a while but I’ll fight with everything I have.”
Wife Julia Lemigova (50), to whom she has been married since 2014, has now explained in the reunion show of the reality format “The Real Housewives of Miami” that the couple have “put their adoption plans on hold”. This is reported by the US magazine “People”. “When you adopt a child, it has to be about the child, and right now it’s all about Martina and her health,” Lemigova tells her co-stars and presenter Andy Cohen (54). “We’ve put that on hold now.”
“As if one wasn’t enough”
The couple thought “the agency would call any moment and give us the good news that we were having a baby,” she said. “Instead, we’re fighting two types of cancer. As if one wasn’t enough. I’m just waiting for Martina to get better.” Lemigova, who has two daughters from previous relationships, also thanked everyone who reached out to her and showed their support after the diagnosis. “Thank you very much, she is going through a very difficult time.”
The 50-year-old already explained at the beginning of the month in conversation with “People”: “After your wife is diagnosed with two types of cancer, your perspective really changes. We all have to be strong for her. There is no time to sit and cry. It’s not going to help. It’s only going to make things worse.”
Martina Navratilova was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010 at the age of 53 and sought treatment. The 66-year-old with Czech and US citizenship is one of the most successful tennis players of all time. She has won a total of 59 Grand Slam titles – in singles, doubles and mixed doubles.