Martina Navratilova has finally met her match — that is, in the game of love. The tennis legend proposed to her longtime girlfriend and former Miss Universe contestant, Julia Lemigova, during yesterday’s U.S. Open semifinals in New York City.
The touching moment came when Navratilova, who was in attendance that afternoon working as a color commentator, took a break to be interviewed by Ken Solomon of the Tennis Channel. With all eyes on her — literally, as in the whole thing was broadcast on the stadium’s Jumbotron — she got down on one knee and presented Lemigova with a diamond ring.
For Navratilova, a 59-time Grand Slam winner and one of the sport’s most well-regarded players, there was no better time or place to pop the big question.
After a resounding “yes” from Lemigova, the couple opened up a bottle of champagne and toasted to their future, while the crowd of thousands cheered them on.
Later that day, the renowned athlete told the Associated Press: “I was very nervous. It came off. She said yes. It was kind of an out-of-body experience. You’ve seen people propose at sporting events before, in movies, in real life. Here it was happening to me. It was like I was watching myself do it.”
Below, watch a short video on Navratilova’s place in tennis history.
Via People and Associated Press
