London, July 07: Martina Navratilova tied one Wimbledon record and set another winning the mixed doubles title.
Navratilova won her 20th title at the all England club yesterday, teaming with Leander Paes to defeat Andy Ram of Israel and Anastassia Rodionova of Russia 6-3 6-3. She's now tied with Billie Jean King for the most Wimbledon titles.
At age 46, she's also the oldest Wimbledon champion, supplanting American Margaret Dupont, who was 44 in 1962 when she took mixed doubles.
"They're all special, but the last one was eight years ago and honestly I never thought I'd play here again," Navratilova told the crowd on Centre Court after the victory.
Navratilova nearly had the winning shot in the deciding game, but Rodionova sprawled and got the ball across the net and Paes smashed the winner. He immediately bowed several times to Navratilova, who tipped her head back in relief.



The two embraced and Navratilova did a girlish jump for joy as the 13,800-capacity Centre Court crowd gave her a standing ovation.



"Welcome home Martina" shouted one fan.



Neither Ram or Rodionova were born when Navratilova won the first of her nine singles titles in 1978.



Paes, 30, drew laughs when he mentioned Navratilova's age. She played her first Wimbledon in 1973.



"For this little kid from India, it was a dream to be on Centre Court," Paes said. "When I was seven or eight years old I watched Martina play and she really inspired me to be out here."



Paes then added: "She said not to say that."


Bureau Report