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Martina Navratilova: Tennis icon diagnosed with throat and breast cancer
Winner of 59 grand slam singles and doubles titles Martina Navratilova previously underwent treatment for early-stage breast cancer in 2010; a statement from the former world No 1's representatives described her prognosis as good
Martina Navratilova has been diagnosed with throat and breast cancer.
The former world No 1 previously underwent treatment for early-stage breast cancer in 2010.
Navratilova, winner of 59 grand slam singles and doubles titles, will not travel to this month's Australian Open, where she was intending to work as a TV pundit.
"This double whammy is serious but still fixable, and I'm hoping for a favourable outcome. It's going to stink for a while, but I will fight with all I have got," Navratilova said.
A statement from the 66-year-old's representative confirming the diagnosis described Navratilova's prognosis as good.
"Martina Navratilova has been diagnosed with stage one throat cancer," read the statement. "The prognosis is good, and Martina will start her treatment this month.
"The cancer type is HPV, and this particular type responds really well to treatment. Martina noticed an enlarged lymph node in her neck during the WTA finals in Fort Worth. When it didn't go down, a biopsy was performed, the results came back as stage one throat cancer.
"At the same time as Martina was undergoing the tests for the throat, a suspicious form was found in her breast, which was subsequently diagnosed as cancer, completely unrelated to the throat cancer.
"Both these cancers are in their early stages with great outcomes. Martina won't be covering the Australian Open for Tennis Channel from their studio but hopes to be able to join in from time to time by Zoom."