Martina Navratilova’s wife Julia vows ‘we will fight this’ as tennis legend battles cancer | Celebrity News | Showbiz & TV

Wimbledon icon Martina Navratilova, 66, announced on Monday that she has been diagnosed with stage one throat and breast cancer, almost 13 years after she first beat the disease.

Shortly before her diagnosis was made public, Martina’s model wife Julia Lemigova, 50, took to Instagram to reflect on the “ups and downs” of the past year and share her hopes for 2023.

The Real Housewives of Miami star shared a montage of memories from the last year and penned: “2022 was an amazing year full of its ups and downs. I can’t wait to see what 2023 has up its sleeve.

“Wishing everyone a beautiful and blessed New Year.” 

Dozens have taken to the comments to wish Martina well, including Anthony who said: “Praying for Martina and you for the New Year,” and Ondzah echoed: “Sorry to hear about Martina’s health issues.

“I really wish you two the healthiest and happiest year! I really love seeing you two on screen.”

In a later post, Julia thanked everyone for their words of support and vowed: “Together, we will fight this.”

Martina and former Miss USSR Julia have been married since 2014 and the tennis legend regularly appears alongside her wife on the Bravo reality show.

Julia has been a RHOM cast member since its fourth season.

She stars alongside the likes of Lisa Hochstein, Larsa Pippen and Marysol Patton.

“At the same time as Martina was undergoing the tests for the throat, a suspicious form was found in her breast, which was subsequently diagnosed as cancer, completely unrelated to the throat cancer.

“Both these cancers are in their early stages with great outcomes.

“Martina won’t be covering the Australian Open for Tennis Channel from their studio but hopes to be able to join in from time to time by Zoom.”

Martina previously beat breast cancer 13 years ago.  

Announcing the diagnosis in 2010, Martina said the disease had been detected early thanks to a routine mammogram.

She told People that she had undergone a lumpectomy and received six weeks of radiation therapy.

Martina is widely regarded as one of the best tennis players in the world.

During her career, she won 18 major singles titles, 31 major women’s doubles titles, and 10 major mixed doubles titles. 

She reached the Wimbledon singles final 12 times, including for nine consecutive years from 1982, and won the title a record nine times.