Tennis icon Martina Navratilova details harrowing abuse over trans views as JK Rowling responds

Trans news: Tennis icon Martina Navratilova has shed light on the abuse she's received

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Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 10/10/2023

- 11:19

The 59-time Grand Slam winner has been vocal on the subject

Tennis icon Martina Navratilova has opened up on the abuse she's received due to her stance on transgender people.

The 66-year-old has staunchly insisted they shouldn't be allowed to compete against their biological counterparts.


Navratilova has been vocal on the subject and, in particular, feels transgender women shouldn't be able to compete against biological females.

She recently hit out at British columnist Owen Jones for endorsing cultural diversity in the UK.

JK Rowling

Harry Potter author JK Rowling has backed Martina Navratilova over her trans views

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One user responded to Navratilova's comments by accusing her of using testosterone during her playing career.

"F**k off on the testosterone, asshole," she said fiercely.

"My ovaries would beg to differ.

"I got to where I was with hard work and ridiculously great genes.

"Thank you mom and dad. Do you know how many matches I lost because of my period? STFU."

And Harry Potter author JK Rowling then responded by saying: "I f*****g love you."

That prompted another response from Navratilova, who recently hit out at Potter star Daniel Radcliffe for turning on Rowling.

She revealed the names she'd been called online - while also pointing out she came out as a lesbian back in 1981.

"This means a lot today as yesterday I was called Nazi, fascist, f*****g racist, bigot, terf- of course, told I didn’t do anything for LGBT until 1993(came out in 81), had high levels of testosterone so not a real woman," she said.

"Quite the day. So this means a lot- thank you Queen:)"

Navratilova continues to be targeted by trolls online.

And she's made it clear why she's so vocal, saying: "To those complaining almost all I talk about is this- it’s because there are more and more male bodied trans people (males) competing against females.

"And winning more and more. This is patently wrong and unfair.

"So I will keep speaking out, thank you."

In another post, she blasted USA cycling for allowing a transgender athlete to compete.

“Race organizers of @usacycling need to stop calling these 'women’s events,'" she said.

"You are fooling nobody.

"These are 'beta-male races' where some women get to be involved.

"In the process you are turning your 'sport' into a joke."

Over the weekend, Navratilova responded to a fan who suggested Chris Evert wasn't supporting her views on trans people.

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Martina Navratilova is against transgender athletes competing against biological women

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She insisted that wasn't the case - though did reveal Billie Jean King and Steffi Graf weren't in the same boat.

The user had said: "The amount of RESPECT I've lost for former FEMALE tennis players like @ChrissieEvert @BillieJeanKing & my all time fav #steffigraf!

"Especially Billie. Who has spent her life reaping the benefits of being an 'ADVOCATE FOR FEMALE ATHLETES'

"@martina deserves their support."

Navratilova responded: "Chris is giving me support, you got that one wrong. Steffi [Graf] is not involved at all. And Billie [Jean King] well, she is for inclusion. Go figure."

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