Exclusive: Your children are not hungry enough to become winners, says Navratilova
By Mark Ryan
Martina Navratilova may be 54, but she shows little sign of mellowing.
In her latest volley, Navratilova blasted rich Western kids for lacking motivation, suggested Wimbledon should be moved back in the calendar and predicted the stranglehold of the Williams sisters at the All England Club will be broken.
Only Andy Murray was spared as the former Queen of Wimbledon claimed his French Open semi-final spot would improve his chances in SW19.
Strong views: Martina Navratilova offers a verbal volley about the state of the game
Speaking at the Aegon Classic in Birmingham, Navratilova said: 'It's easier to be determined when you have nothing. In the USA and here it's a rich kids' sport. They [the eastern European players] have more respect for their elders and for coaches, it's a cultural thing.'
Not that she seemed to have much respect for the All England Club.
'It would be great to have a longer grass-court season and more grass-court tournaments but Wimbledon is always the last week of June and the first week of July. Why don't they move it?
'I suppose because "it's always been that way".'
Of the Williams sisters, she said: 'They're such an unknown but I don't see them winning [Wimbledon this year].'
Good chance: Navratilova says Victoria Azarenka (left) and Caroline Wozniacki (right) will be competitive
Navratilova, who won 18 Grand Slam singles titles, added of Serena: 'It is like betting on a horse when you haven't seen it run for a year - though she is a thoroughbred.'
So who will take the women's crown?
'Li Na's got a good shot at it, Maria Sharapova is the betting favourite, Caroline Wozniacki and Victoria Azarenka have a good chance,' she said.
As for a winner of the men's tournament, she said: 'The top four and maybe Soderling. Andy Murray - maybe now more so after he did well at the French.'
Navratolova said she would love to be a coach.
Asked if she might help Ana Ivanovic, she said equivocally: 'She's a great talent.'
For now, Navratilova said: 'I'm like a dolphin - 75 per cent playing, 25 per cent looking for food.'
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