"Take it off! Take it off! Take it off!" chanted the audience of Spain's Mask Singer, eager to see the celebrity hidden inside the "Mop" costume. The big reveal stunned the crowd: it was none other than Martina Navratilova (69). In 1994, the tennis legend was at the height of her career, now, more than two decades later, she surprised everyone on television with a warm smile and humor, joking, "I’ve always wanted to be a mop since I was a little girl."
© Tim ClaytonThe hit show welcomes famous faces that go unrecognized behind the comical masks. For its latest episode, it featured Navratilova, who boasts an impeccable athletic career, a closet full of trophies: more than 55 Grand Slam titles. During the show, she stun the judges and also used her airtime to throw down a challenge to another sports great: Rafa Nadal.
"If I played wearing this, you’d surely beat me," the athlete told the hosts with a laugh, moments after needing a bodyguard’s help to remove the mask. "But if Rafa Nadal wore this, I would beat him," she continued. In addition to challenging Nadal, she spoke about another titan of the sport, Carlos Alcaraz.
© Rob TaggartThe young player, who has proven to be a huge Rosalía fan, received high praise from Navratilova, "He is a phenomenon; I love watching him play. I would pay to watch him play." She also took the opportunity to deliver a slight dig at others, "I couldn't say the same about many players, but he is undoubtedly very fun. He loves the sport, he loves competing, and he is a great ambassador for sports and for Spain."
© Steve PowellOne of the judges, Boris Izaguirre, explained why Martina is so important to him, "I consider you an ally. You have done so much for people like me that I truly thank you and recognize you for it." Navratilova, who won her first singles title at age 17 in Orlando, Florida, became one of the first elite athletes to come out as gay."
The guest also shared a details about her wedding, Brooke Shields "was my wife's bridesmaid when we got married. Chris Evert was my maid of honor and Brooke Shields was Julia's." The tennis star fulfilled one of her dreams two years ago when she became a mother to two children with the love of her life, Julia Lemigova (a former model and Miss USSR 1990), whom she married in 2014.
© ElsaMore than an ace on the court
Another of the judges, singer Ruth Lorenzo, admitted she was quite confused, having had serious doubts that the artist under the mask was a professional musician, "I really thought you were a singer." Navratilova, who has proven to be quite multifaceted, admitted, "I can sing halfway decent," though she confessed to being shy about it, adding, "I’m glad I was covered up."
© Georges De KeerleIn addition to the aforementioned titles, including her nine Wimbledon wins, she has also navigated periods marked by difficult moments. In 2023, the tennis player was diagnosed with throat and breast cancer. This was not her first time facing the disease, as she had successfully overcome it in 2010. However, the sports star has always shown herself to be a strong and brave woman, both on and off the court.
