Martina Navratilova won the 57th major honour of her tennis career at the 2003 Australian Open.
Paired with Leander Paes, Navratilova won the Australian Open Mixed Doubles title, becoming the oldest winner of a Grand Slam title in history.
The Czech-American was 46 years old when she and Paes defeated Todd Woodbridge and Eleni Daniilidou 6-4, 7-5.
After winning the title, Navratilova issued an apology to the crowd.
Martina Navratilova apologised to the Australian Open for her extended absence from the tournament
After winning the contest in Melbourne, Navratilova made sure to apologise for her long absence from the event.
The 46-year-old had not competed at the Australian Open for 13 years.
“This goes beyond any wildest dream,” said Navratilova, as per BBC Sport.
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“The support has been amazing. I’m sorry I haven’t come back here for such a long time, but I guarantee it won’t be another 13 years before I come back again.”
Navratilova stayed true to her word, returning for the 2004 edition. Navratilova and Paes again reached the final, before losing 6-1, 7-6 to Elena Bovina and Nenad Zimonjic.
Todd Woodbridge said Martina Navratilova was ‘amazing’
Todd Woodbridge, an 18-time Grand Slam champion, reflected on Navratilova’s performance following the 2003 final.
Woodbridge said: “Martina is amazing – I had an opportunity to play with her at Wimbledon. I’m a little disappointed because she didn’t play as well then,” he said.
“She says she’s still improving, so God help us all.”
Navratilova achieved more major success later that year. At Wimbledon, she won the mixed doubles event while paired with Paes. They defeated Anastassia Rodionova and Andy Ram 6-3, 6-3.
Navratilova won her final Slam at the 2006 US Open at 49 years old. Martina Navratilova and Bob Bryan defeated Květa Peschke and Martin Damm in the final, 6–2, 6–3.
