Restyling a champion

Navratilova's image has had a complete overhaul

BBC Sport Online's Gabrielle Lewis reports exclusively from Wimbledon on a new-look Martina Navratilova

Something is different about Martina Navratilova. The same wry sense of humour is still there, as is the unassuming modesty of a 19-time Wimbledon champion.

But watching her open her bid to equal Billie Jean King's record of 20 titles at the All England Club, it was clear the American was a changed person.

Playing alongside her bulky South African doubles partner, Mariaan de Swardt, at the French Open and at Eastbourne before playing her first round match in SW19 made it even clearer. Martina had a new look.

It isn't one of those that flies up and shows your bum

Navratilova on her new skirt

The 43-year-old, who is some 14 years older than her playing companion, is blossoming under her new clothing sponsor, Lucy.com.

With a bank full of new outfits to select from her backer's range, Navratilova has abandoned her habitual shorts and collared shirt in favour of a hi-tech, trendy top and, wait for it, a skirt.

Enjoying the new look

"I haven't worn a skirt since 1991," she admitted. "I put a skirt on before our first round in Paris and thought no, no, no. So I took it off and went back to my shorts. In the next round I put it on and it felt really comfortable, so I've stuck with it. It isn't one of those that flies up and shows your bum."

Navratilova also has a new wardrobe to suit her role as a BBC Television commentator and her endorsement is clearly good news for the recently established sponsor, who never really expected to pull in such a big name for their promotions.

Saleable commodity

Yet for Navratilova, the support was proof, as if she needed it, that she was still a very saleable commodity.

"I'd been struggling to get endorsements since I was 30. People thought I wasn't going to be around much longer. In fact I played until I was 38," she said. "When I came back, some manufacturers even wanted me to play for my shoes and clothing. Now they can see my picture in all the newspapers."

Revealing all

Navratilova, however, is not the only player on the women's tour who is promoting clothes.

Anna Kournikova, who was born in 1981, five years after Navratilova's first Wimbledon triumph, has had her Berlei-clad bosom plastered all over billboards and magazines, with the bra-manufacturer sexily stating 'Only the balls should bounce'.

Sex-symbol

Unlike Kournikova, Navratilova is sticking to full regalia. But she is has no problem with the Russian teenager's status as a tennis sex-symbol.

"Any time you can bring in more fans is good," Navratilova added. "I don't think you need to be sexy to sell, but I don't think Anna is selling sex. As players we're not marketing it like that.

"Venus Williams is also wearing a very revealing dress, but this isn't anything new. When it was raining at Eastbourne last week they showed my match with Chris Evert and she look pretty sexy back then. I remember when she took her top off and she had the bare-backed dress and everyone was gasping.

"So it isn't new, it just gets more attention now," she smiled as she selected another outfit from her wardrobe.