At the age of 18, Martina Navratilova defected from communist Czechoslovakia while she was playing in the 1975 US Open to be able to play as a free woman. She sacrificed her citizenship and seeing her homeland and her family for many years. Then in 1981, Martina became one of the first openly gay professional athletes. She sacrificed millions in endorsements, which she knew she would when she came out. 59 grand slam titles that included 9 Wimbledon titles. Few people in this world have ice running through their veins the way Martina does. And now Martina is defending Sophie Cunningham against the New York Times / WNBA media. They are in the wrong for this ridiculous hit piece against Sophie today (and the inevitable hit pieces coming to try to push Sophie out of the WNBA).