LONDON — Tennis icon Martina Navratilova, an 18-time Grand Slam singles champion and one of the most celebrated athletes in Wimbledon history, has voiced concerns about whether she would be granted U.S. citizenship if she applied today. The Czech-born American, who became a naturalized citizen in 1981, fears the current political climate and immigration policies could have barred her from entering the country.
Navratilova, 67, made the remarks during an interview with The Guardian, reflecting on her journey from defecting from communist Czechoslovakia in 1975 to becoming a U.S. citizen. "I don’t know if I’d be allowed in today," she said. "The way things are going, it’s scary to think about how different it might have been for me."
A Defector’s Journey
Navratilova’s path to American citizenship was far from straightforward. At 18, she defected during the 1975 U.S. Open, seeking political asylum after years of frustration with Czechoslovakia’s restrictive regime. She described her decision as "the hardest but most necessary choice" of her life, driven by her desire for freedom both on and off the court.
Her defection came at a time when Cold War tensions were high, and the U.S. frequently granted asylum to athletes and artists fleeing Soviet-bloc countries. However, Navratilova worries that today’s stricter immigration policies—particularly under recent administrations—might have prevented her from gaining entry.
Modern Immigration Barriers
Navratilova’s concerns stem from recent U.S. immigration trends, including:
- Increased vetting for asylum seekers
- Travel bans targeting certain countries
- Backlogs in citizenship applications
- Heightened scrutiny of political defectors
She pointed to the Trump administration’s 2017 travel ban, which restricted entry from several predominantly Muslim countries, as an example of how policies have shifted. "If I were coming from a country on that list, would I have been allowed in? I don’t know," she said.
A Vocal Advocate for Immigration Reform
Navratilova has long been an outspoken advocate for immigrant rights, often drawing from her own experiences. In 2022, she criticized the Biden administration’s handling of the southern border crisis, arguing that "the U.S. used to be a beacon for people like me—now it feels like we’re shutting the door."
Her comments have sparked debate, with some conservatives accusing her of politicizing immigration. However, Navratilova remains firm, stating, "This isn’t about politics—it’s about fairness. If I wouldn’t make it in today, who else are we turning away?"
The Impact on Athletes
Navratilova isn’t alone in her concerns. Other athletes who defected to the U.S., including Soviet gymnast Olga Korbut and Cuban baseball star Orlando Hernández, have echoed similar worries. Korbut, who became a citizen in 2000, told ESPN last year, "The America I came to was open. Now, even with a green card, the process feels impossible."
Legal Experts Weigh In
Immigration attorney Sarah Pierce of the Migration Policy Institute noted that while defectors still receive special consideration, the process has become more arduous. "The U.S. still accepts political asylum cases, but approval rates have dropped significantly," she said. "Navratilova’s case would likely be stronger today given her fame, but an ordinary defector might struggle."
Statistics from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services show that asylum approvals fell from 44% in 2016 to 28% in 2022, though numbers have slightly rebounded under Biden.
A Call for Change
Navratilova hopes her story will prompt a reevaluation of U.S. immigration policies. "I owe everything to this country," she said. "But if we stop letting in people like me, we lose what makes America great."
As debates over border security and immigration reform continue, Navratilova’s reflections serve as a reminder of the human stories behind the policies. Whether her fears are fully grounded or not, her legacy—both as a tennis legend and an immigrant success story—remains undeniable.
For now, she remains a proud U.S. citizen, but her message is clear: "We can’t forget where we came from—and we can’t close the door on those who need us most."