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By Adrianna Outlaw

(August 6, 2010) Nearly six months ago, Martina Navratilova was told she tested positive for  a non-invasive form of breast cancer called ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). The Hall of Famer recalls the moment as her "personal 9-11."  The crisis point provoked an immediate and deep reaction in the Grand Slam champion.

The 53-year-old Navratilova remembers she "was in denial for about two seconds and cried for a minute” before deciding to approach the disease as she played tennis — aggressively moving forward.

"I think anybody that survives the communist system, they're pretty tough!" Navratilova told CNN. "And then being gay on top of that, that wasn't helpful. As they say, that which does not kill you makes you stronger, so I am pretty strong."

CNN chronicles Navratilova taking on her greatest challenge in a new half-hour special: "Martina: My Toughest Opponent." The special airs tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. Eastern time with several encore airings scheduled. CNN follows Navratilova's journey of balancing treatments, tennis, her role as a Tennis Channel analyst and everything in between.

She's invested both her time and effort into raising awareness for breast-cancer exams since her own diagnosis. Interestingly, Navratilova admits her efforts have prevented her from following her own advice to cancer patients.

"When I went public I wanted to help raise awareness, but I had less time for myself, which is ironic because I am telling people to to take more time and I am taking less time for myself," Navratilova said.

Narrated by CNN’s chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta, this half-hour special gives viewers an intimate look at Martina’s personal battle with breast cancer. The special debuts tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. Eastern time followed by encore airings on ; Sunday, August 8th at 7 a.m., 2:30 p.m., and 10 p.m.; and on Tuesday, August 10th at 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

"She didn't miss a beat. That's very Martina. She doesn't sit around wondering or fidgeting," says former professional tennis player and founder of the Women’s Sports Foundation Billie Jean King. "She just gets into action. She's a woman of action. You know, the way she played was that way and that's how she is in real life."

Following a lumpectomy in March, Czech-born Martina underwent more than two dozen radiation treatments during a six-week period, which ended just days before she secured yet another Wimbledon title. CNN cameras followed her throughout this time, capturing not only her trips to the Paris-based treatment center, but also the time she spent at Roland Garros and the All England Club playing doubles matches with Jana Novotna and working as a commentator for The Tennis Channel.

"When you’re playing with Martina it’s one thing, but when you’re playing with Martina and you know everything she is going through, it’s very emotional," says Novotna.

Many tennis greats — past and present — were interviewed for both the on-air and online components of this special including Novotna; Billie Jean King; Boris Becker; Jimmy Connors; Steffi Graf; Pam Shriver; Tim Henman; Kim Clijsters; Lindsay Davenport; Bob Bryan; Caroline Wozniacki; Bud Collins; Francesca Schiavone; and Martina Hingis.