Title for retiring Navratilova

NEW YORK – Martina Navratilova bowed out of tennis for the second time at the US Open on Saturday by winning the mixed doubles title with Bob Bryan.

The Navratilova/Bryan combination defeated Czech pair Kveta Pescke and Martin Damm 6-2, 6-3 in the final. It was the 354th title in singles, women’s doubles and mixed doubles of her career, the first being when she was still a citizen of Czechoslovakia in 1974.”If you play long enough good things happen,” Navratilova said.”I won my first (US Open) title here in 1983.It has been quite a run.This will make my Mother happy.She gets so nervous when I play.”I have so many memories.”The 49-year-old Navratilova retired once before and did not play on the WTA Tour for five years between 1995 and 1999.She returned in 2000, playing almost entirely doubles.Navratilova’s longevity over a glorious 31-year professional career has brought her a string of titles and trophies.Besides her seven Wimbledon crowns she has 167 singles titles, the most by any player of either sex.Nampa-AFPIt was the 354th title in singles, women’s doubles and mixed doubles of her career, the first being when she was still a citizen of Czechoslovakia in 1974.”If you play long enough good things happen,” Navratilova said.”I won my first (US Open) title here in 1983.It has been quite a run.This will make my Mother happy.She gets so nervous when I play.”I have so many memories.”The 49-year-old Navratilova retired once before and did not play on the WTA Tour for five years between 1995 and 1999.She returned in 2000, playing almost entirely doubles.Navratilova’s longevity over a glorious 31-year professional career has brought her a string of titles and trophies.Besides her seven Wimbledon crowns she has 167 singles titles, the most by any player of either sex.Nampa-AFP