Navratilova to make Wimbledon return

Navratilova is just one title short of an all-time record

Retired tennis star Martina Navratilova will enter the women's doubles event at Wimbledon this year.

I don't miss professional tennis, I have a great life now.

Martina Navratilova

The nine-time Wimbledon singles champion will be paired with South Africa's Mariaan de Swardt for the two-week grass court tournament, beginning on 26 June.

"It's gonna be the first time I go back as a player since 1995," Navratilova said.

"It's gonna be fantastic and I'm looking forward to it.

"I will have lots of fun and enjoy myself. I still can hit the ball you know."

Navratilova has won 19 Wimbledon titles

The 43-year-old American has won seven Wimbledon women's doubles titles and her total of 19 Wimbledon crowns overall in singles, doubles and mixed doubles is just one short of Billie Jean King's all-time record.

"It's not something I had planned at the beginning of the year," Navratilova said.

"I just thought that because I will be playing Team Tennis in July that I needed matches. What better way to get ready than to play at Wimbledon?"

Navratilova, who retired in November of 1994, will also play doubles at Eastbourne, one week before Wimbledon, with de Swardt as a wild card entry.

"I don't miss professional tennis," she said. "I have a great life now. My goal is to improve as a human being."