Tennis icon Martina Navratilova, a name synonymous with dominance on the Wimbledon courts, is grappling with fears that her U.S. citizenship—earned nearly 45 years ago—could be revoked amid the sweeping immigration crackdowns under President Donald Trump’s administration. The 68-year-old, who defected from Czechoslovakia to the United States in 1975 at age 18, expressed her anxieties in a candid interview with BBC’s Amol Rajan, highlighting the uncertainty that has left her and many others “walking on eggshells.”
Navratilova’s journey to the U.S. was driven by her ambition to become the world’s top tennis player, a goal she felt was unattainable under the constraints of her homeland. She achieved that dream, becoming a U.S. citizen in 1981 and later reclaiming Czech citizenship in 2008, making her a dual citizen. Now residing in Miami, Florida, with her wife, Julia Lemigova, Navratilova faces the unsettling prospect that her long-held American identity could be stripped away.
The former president’s campaign promise to launch “the largest deportation programme of criminals in the history of America” has materialized into nationwide raids, sparking protests in cities like California, New York, Philadelphia, and Houston. Immigration officers have intensified their efforts, targeting workplaces and even detaining tourists. Notably, Italian TikTok star Khaby Lame, with 162 million followers, was recently detained at a Las Vegas airport over alleged immigration violations, underscoring the far-reaching scope of these operations.
Navratilova, whose net worth stands at $25 million according to Celebrity Net Worth, didn’t hold back in her criticism of Trump. “I’m not loyal to [U.S. President] Donald Trump,” she declared, adding that if she were in the same position today as she was in 1975, she would not choose America as her destination. “It’s not a democracy at the moment,” she told Rajan, reflecting on the current political climate.
Her storied career, marked by an unparalleled nine Wimbledon singles titles—a record for both men and women—spans nearly five decades. Navratilova’s Wimbledon legacy began in 1976 with a doubles victory alongside rival Chris Evert, followed by a remarkable haul of 59 major titles: 18 in singles, 31 in women’s doubles, and 10 in mixed doubles. These triumphs earned her over $22.6 million in prize money during her 32-year professional career, cementing her as one of tennis’s all-time greats.
As Navratilova prepares to attend the 138th edition of Wimbledon this month, her focus is overshadowed by the looming threat to her citizenship. The tennis legend’s fears reflect a broader unease among immigrants in the U.S., as the administration’s aggressive immigration policies continue to reshape lives and futures. For Navratilova, the stakes are deeply personal, threatening to unravel the American dream she built through decades of perseverance and triumph.