Navratilova: I want to coach

Tennis great Martina Navratilova has revealed she would like to join the ranks of the “super coaches” that have flooded the men’s game.

In a move likely to get her phone ringing, Navratilova said she could make a great contribution to the game at the elite level where she dominated for so long.

Speaking at the Australian Open where she is playing in the legends event, Navratilova revealed her desire to join Stefan Edberg, Boris Becker, Ivan Lendl, Goran Ivanisevic and Michael Chang and the like as a professional coach.

“I’ve had some possibilities but nothing specific yet,” said the former world No.1.

“I love coaching and I love helping people at whatever level.”

“I think my biggest contribution would be at the top level because I’ve been there, done that.”

“I’m sure that (calls) will come, and I’ll be helping somebody on the court, sitting in the box, sweating it out.”

Navratilova was open to all possibilities, saying the person was more important than age or gender.

“It could be a man or a woman. It doesn’t matter if the mix is right,” she said.

“You have to get along emotionally, you have to like each other as people and feel that you can help.”

Navratilova said she was happy commentating for the Tennis Channel but she was “sure it (coaching) will happen eventually”.

The 18-time grand slam winner said she was sure current world No.1 Serena Williams, currently with 17 majors, would overtake her haul if she stayed fit despite her early exit from this year’s Open.

“She’s 32, her body failed her a little bit this week but if she stays healthy they’re no doubt in my mind she’ll go into 20 plus numbers in grand slams,” she said.

“She is still the biggest competitor out there.”

“And she’s fresh, she hasn’t played as many matches as I had at that age.”

Navratilova threw down the gauntlet to the next generation of players to give Williams the challenge and the rivalry she deserves.

“She’s not lacking anything. It’s the other players that are lacking the ability to give her the rivalry,” she said.

“The younger generation hasn’t quite caught up. When I was 32, Steffi Graf was No.1,” she said.

“She doesn’t have the Steffi Graf on her heels.”

Navratilova named Eugenie Bouchard, Madison Keys, Sloane Stephens as future stars and particularly praised young Spaniard Garbine Muguruza as “definitely” one to challenge in future.

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