TENNIS legend Martina Navratilova has hit back at followers who have criticised her for trying to take her pooch into a restaurant.
BBC pundit Martina was denied service at a restaurant in SW19 – despite being a nine-times former Wimbledon champion and pundit.
Despite her legacy, tennis ace Martina was refused service at a restaurant[/caption]
The superstar tennis player has divided fans by asking to take her four-legged friend into the eatery – and being rejected.
Sporting ace Martina – who has won a whopping 18 major titles in her stunning career – told fans about the frustrating experience on social media.
Alongside a photo of the duo, she wrote: “Well – tried to have dinner at The Ivy at Wimbledon, but they won’t allow Lulu into the restaurant – so plan B.”
Fresh from Wimbledon, the icon can be seen wearing an all-black ensemble with floral sleeves, while accessorising with shades and an Evian water bottle.
The tennis pro can be seen shrugging her arms nonchalantly outside the venue in front of other diners.
The star was carrying her mini long-haired Dachshund Lulu in her black shoulder bag – who seemed happily unaware of any denied dining grief.
One disapproving user wrote: “Ew. People, please stop trying to take your dogs where people purchase and eat food. Thank you.”
Czech-American legend Martina replied: “She is on the floor. Get over it.”
A second user barked: “It’s too hot outside for that poor pup to be in a carrier. Please keep Lulu in the hotel with the air conditioner on. Be a good pet mum.”
Martina responded: “FFS – First off, she is 15 and in good health. It’s about 70F and not even close to being hot. Try again about lecturing me about my dogs… seriously.”
Others claimed: “You didn’t bother to check, just counted on your fame and privileges that come with said fame.”
One user commented on the dog-free restaurant: “Well done to the staff that must have had tremendous pressure on them to make the rules apply to everyone, knowing full well who you are.”
Martina replied: “They had no idea. I could have sat outside but then I couldn’t eat because of all the people walking by. So sweet of you anyway.”
Other followers supported: “This stinks. It’s their loss.”
One user sympathised: “Martina cannot be in? Because of Lulu?@Wimbledon please fix this. Martina should be allowed in any place of this universe where the word tennis is recognised.”
Another echoed: “How can they not allow one of the greatest living female tennis players into their restaurant. Can’t they make an exception especially as it’s in Wimbledon as well. Crazy bad PR.”
The court queen of Wimbledon has won half of her titles at The Championships between 1979 and 1990.
The star – who dominated women’s tennis in the 70s and 80s alongside great rival Chris Evert – is married to former Miss USSR Julia Lemigova.
Navratilova was born in Prague, Czechoslovakia (now in the Czech Republic) in 1956.
She is the most successful female tennis player to ever grace SW19, arguably producing some of her best performances at the All England Club.
Seen by many as one of the greatest female players of all time, she was inducted into the tennis hall of fame in 2000.
Navratilova has also been a very prominent activist in a number of charities.
In 2000, she received a National Equality Award from the Human Rights Campaign, which is one of the largest activist groups for gay and lesbian rights.
In 2023, she took part in an emotional interview with Piers Morgan and told him how she had fought both throat and breast cancer.
She revealed how she is now cancer free but had feared not ‘seeing next Christmas’ after her devastating double diagnosis.
The former champion and BBC pundit is one of the greatest female players of all time[/caption]
Martina held the winner’s trophy after the Final of the Women’s Singles tournament at Wimbledon in 1978[/caption]
