Martina Navratilova Asks WTA Star to Retire & ‘Have Babies’ in Cheeky Take at US Open

In four years, Katie Boulter has not lost in round 1. Despite starting this season in the top 25, her grappling form and injuries have gradually pushed her out, with nine of ten appearances ending in round 2. No wonder she’s been under the microscope for many tennis pundits. For one, Martina Navratilova has not missed her chance to take witty jibes at her performances. Back in Wimbledon, the 18-time Grand Slam winner assessed Boulter’s service lacking form and quipped, “It’s balltoss-itis here at Wimbledon.” 

Boulter recently broke her four-match losing streak in Cleveland. At the US Open, however, she lost 6-4, 6-4 to the 27th seed Marta Kostyuk. With the Tuesday defeat, she is also likely to fall out of the top 50 spots. While she is not able to repeat her two-title winning season from last year, this time around, her personal life has seen better moments. Last December, ahead of Christmas, she shared she was engaged to her long-time partner and tennis star, Alex de Minaur. Since then, the two have been dropping hints of a possible 2026 wedding. But with Boulter losing, Navratilova couldn’t help but take another playful jab at the Brit.

Ahead of the match, Boulter had mentioned burnout after heading straight from Wimbledon to the United States. The Sky Sports pundit and former ATP pro Ryan Harrison, however, had an opposing view. After the first round loss, Harrison advised, “If you’re Katie Boulter, you’ve got to try and do everything you can to finish the season strong. As you (Navratilova) said, she’s been struggling for form a little bit, she’s going to have to get some matches in, she’s going to have to get that match count up as we look at the last third of the season.”

But Martina Navratilova didn’t agree. In classic style, she lightened the discussion with humor, saying, “Or maybe just get married, have babies, and be done with it. No more stress.” The joke sparked plenty of smiles. After all, Boulter and Alex de Minaur got engaged in the off-season and have been happily talking about their wedding plans ever since.

Harrison wasn’t letting it slide, though. He countered with another reality check: “You said no more stress. That’s no more tennis stress, right? Because you have a little baby running around, it’s a different sort of stress,” he fired back. For Boulter, though, the spotlight remains on the court. She’s struggled with multiple early exits this year and still looks for the consistency she needs to turn a corner.

Cleveland gave her some hope. Just last week, she snapped a four-match losing streak, showing a glimpse of fight. But the first-round exit at Flushing Meadows is a setback. She would certainly look to regroup and come back sharper while the drama in New York continues.

On the other hand, this isn’t the first time Navratilova has stirred the pot at Flushing Meadows. Just last week, the mixed doubles event made its splashy start with star singles names like Carlos Alcaraz, Jack Draper, Jessica Pegula, and more jumping in. The on-court action ended on a high note for the defending champions, but Navratilova still wasn’t exactly clapping along.

Martina Navratilova shares thoughts on the mixed doubles event

On August 20, the 2025 US Open Mixed Doubles championship grabbed the spotlight with a bold makeover. The USTA turned the event into a two-day spectacle, cutting the field to 16 teams—eight picked by singles rankings, eight via wild cards. Sets were shortened to four games with no-ad scoring, and the winner’s purse shot up to $1 million. The revamp drew a storm of reactions, from excitement and intrigue to skepticism over leaving out doubles specialists in favor of star singles players.

But Arthur Ashe Stadium also doubled as a festival ground. Crowds packed in, DJs spun tracks, and the vibe felt fresh and electric. The event smashed records with a two-day sellout, celebrity appearances, and a global broadcast in more than 170 countries. Commercially, it was a runaway success. But it raised the big question: is this the future of mixed doubles, or a flashy experiment testing the sport’s balance?

Martina Navratilova wasn’t shy about answering. The 18-time Grand Slam legend wrote on X: “It’s an exhibition and I am fine with that. Shame for the people who specialize in doubles and mixed, and many will miss out on the opportunity to play and make some good money. I hope it’s not counted as a real tournament.” Her words fired up the debate, joined by others who felt the same.

Still, the new format reeled in big names. Fans got to watch headline pairings like Carlos Alcaraz & Emma Raducanu, Iga Swiatek & Casper Ruud, and Jessica Pegula & Jack Draper. The buzz was electric even before the main draw began, and the USTA’s gamble seemed to work. In the end, doubles pros Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori stole the crown, proving the specialists still hold their ground and leaving even the purists satisfied.

Now with her comments towards Katie Boulter, the 18-time Grand Slam legend isn’t holding back! The US Open is heating up on court and in the commentators’ box! What’s your take on this? Share it with us below!