Martina Navratilova vs Hana Mandlikova 1986 Fed Cup Final Highlights

[@aagold76]

I've seen the whole match- at the end, Martina accepts the trophy and speaks for the team- she starts in English and the crowd chants 'In Czech, In Czech'- she finishes a little more English- then speaks in Czech- and the stadium goes crazy! Chris Evert said after- 'it was so great to finally see Martina get her due'.

[@martinpascoe7678]

this was not about Evert

[@aagold76]

@@martinpascoe7678 nobody said it was

[@aagold76]

not sure if some of the viewers realize this- this was the first time Navratilova had been in Czechoslovakia since she defected 11 years before in 1975. They had to allow her in- as the number 1 player in the world, in order to be granted the right to host the Federation Cup. Navratilova was a 'nonperson' since her defection. Her name never appeared in the press- It would say 'The 4 semifinalists are Evert, Mandlikova and Austin' people would figure out Martina was the 4th. The Government forced them to re do the programs for this event because someone included a photo of Martina in it. Until she got her US citizenship in 1981, Martina had to check the flight route of every trip she took making sure it didn't fly over Communist air space- if the plane was forced to land for some reason, she could be arrested. The Officials ignored her presence here, but the people loved her. There's a story of the train that passed the stadium stopping on the tracks so people could get a look at Martina. After her closing address in Czech, even the officials stood and applauded her. There should be a Martina movie- Billie Jean may have been more consequential, but Martina's life is infinitely more interesting!

[@ranjittyagi9354]

Wow. Well, I knew she defected from the then Czechoslovakia but the facts you wrote made for a very interesting read. Thank you from NW India.

[@sprboston]

incredible tennis

[@cush6827]

Wow, what a well behaved and quiet crowd of spectators. No loud Americans.

[@ericwashington4236]

Love this resolution!

[@christopherhammer1778]

Please upload Evert vs Sukova highlights too

[@foritisi]

This is how you play tennis.

[@Rune8119]

How many times did they both rush to the net? Amazing!

[@pierdomenicosommati443]

The last two points are just unbelievable😂 amazing players indeed😮

[@fundhund62]

Oh, look! Real tennis! 👍🏻

[@MrJeepsters]

Cela change de la récente finale de Rolland Garros (nulle).

[@spartansrace4293]

To see serve/volley . Martina, please coach Saniakova and Krejcikova to Serve/volley they'd be unstoppable

[@andyElec]

Is Hana using Martina's racquet??

[@zeddeka]

It was a prototype Yonex racquet that Hana was testing. She decided in the end to stick with Wilson.

[@andyElec]

@@zeddeka thanks! I thought my eyes were playing up, or she'd forgotten to bring hers with her 😂

[@isepseptyan6270]

Canadian open 96 seles vs basuki please... 🙏👍

[@zeddeka]

Hana testing a prototype Yonex racquet here. She decided in the end to stick with Wilson.

[@martingredner1362]

It was a slap in the face to communist monsters.