By Richard Pagliaro
Photo Credit: Tennis Channel
(May 17, 2010) Face time has long been the most challenging time of Martina Navratilova's commentary career.
Joining fellow Hall of Famer John McEnroe as a lead analyst of Tennis Channel's French Open coverage, Navratilova jokes spending her pre-match time confined to the make-up chair is often the most arduous aspect of her analyst role.
"The toughest part of the job for me is putting make up on and I don't really like to be on camera. I just like to talk about the game," Navratilova said during today's conference call to promote Tennis Channel's coverage of the French Open, starting on Sunday.
When Navratilova gazes into her own eyes in the makeup mirror next week, she might well see fulfillment staring right back as she endures one of the most demanding times of her life while undergoing radiation therapy as part of her cancer treatment.
Last month, Navratilova announced she was diagnosed with a non-invasive form of breast cancer called ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). Navratilova had a lumpectomy six weeks ago and started six weeks of radiation therapy last week.
She will continue radiation therapy while working as an analyst and playing the French Open Ladies Legend doubles event during the French Open fortnight. An upbeat Navratilova said today she is "cancer free" and doing exactly what she wants with her life: talking and playing tennis.
"I'm doing well. I am cancer free — that was taken out when I had the lumpectomy about six weeks ago," Navratilova said today. "I am on the second week of radiation therapy. So far, so good. It's only about five minutes on the table. I understand I may get tired toward the end of the treatment in weeks 4, 5 or 6."
Coping with illness has not dulled the 18-time Grand Slam singles champion's ambitious aims. Navratilova reached her professional peak as a World No. 1 in singles and doubles and has now set her sights on scaling another sizable summit: she plans to climb Mount Kilimanjaro on December 10th. The legendary lefty is making the climb to fulfill a personal goal and raise funds and awareness for the Laureus World Sports Academy.
"It wasn't in response (to cancer) that I upped my workout routine — I just didn't change my plans that's all," Navratilova said. "I always wanted to climb Kilimanjaro it and just never had anyone to climb it with. And when I was asked to do it for Laureus, I (said yes). I planned on
doing it since last December or January. I love Africa and I spend a lot of time in Kenya and that was a no brainer (to attempt it). Whether I get to the top or not I don't know but I will try."
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.
Contracting cancer can cause people to stop and take stock of their lives. Navratilova said when she pressed paused during her diagnosis to assess her active life, it reinforced a comforting fact: that's she spending her time doing exactly what she most wants to do.
"Of course it causes you to pause and take time (to wonder) whether you are doing exactly what you want to be doing," Navratilova said. "Perhaps if I only had six months to live I might say 'I'll see you guys in the next lifetime.' (But) I am doing just that. I love my work with Tennis Channel and I love staying involved with the game."
The two-time French Open champion is already back on court in Paris practicing for the legends senior even that pairs her with fellow former Wimbledon winner Jana Novotna.
"I'm practicing with her and enjoying it," Navratilova said. "So I did take pause and I am doing exactly what I want to be doing and for the next two weeks that will be doing the French Open with Tennis Channel."