Tennis News: Martina Navratilova slams Harry Potter actor, Cincy returns

Martina Navratilova, whether you like her or not, is somewhat refreshing among well-known athletes or celebrities. Instead of bland and monosyllabic responses or social media posts that we get from many who are more worried about their fame than offering their candid views, we get sometimes terse, often enlightening, and many times aggressive social media posts or interview answers from Navratilova. You never have to guess what she is really thinking.

And about all of the above, I doubt Martina Navratilova would care at all about what I thought or how her words were taken by others. She knows how she feels about most subjects and she comments in kind. Good for her, even though I don’t always agree with what she speaks or posts.

But recently, she took to Twitter (or X) to react to something Daniel Radcliffe, an actor in many fine films but likely best known for playing Harry Potter in the eponymous series of films. Radcliffe has been a long supporter of transgender rights, especially transgender women’s rights. Navratilova is outspoken on the subject and does not think transgender women should take part in women’s athletics.

Martina Navratilova tells Daniel Radcliffe to “be quiet”

ABC News put out a post from Daniel Radcliffe that Radcliffe said quite some time ago (2020) but has found recent traction due to people posting his words on social media. Radcliffe says, “Transgender women are women. Any statement to the contrary erases the identity and dignity of transgender people and goes against all advice given by professional health care associations who have far more expertise on this subject matter than Jo or I.”

Jo refers to J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter books.

Martina Navratilova seems to know when these posts are made because she comments often on such things. Maybe she uses her search bar for keywords? Either way, after someone took the ABC News part and posted it in a tweet, Navratilova simply told Daniel Radcliffe to “be quiet.” Ouch. Guess it’s OK for Martina Navratilova to speak her peace but not others?

Western and Southern Open is staying put

In other news, there was some discussion that after a massive new tennis facility was completed in Charlotte, North Carolina the Western and Southern Open, which has taken place in Cincinnati, Ohio since 1979, might move to Charlotte. Not that there is anything wrong with Cincinnati, of course, but tournament owners are going to follow the money, and if the owner of the Charlotte facility, Ben Navarro, had offered them a bunch of money to move the tournament then there was a chance that could happen.

Instead, with the help of 2023 Cincy winners Novak Djokovic and Coco Gauff, the tournament announced it is staying in Cincinnati. Good news for tennis fans who take the yearly trip there.