More than an hour after her final pro match, way past midnight when the crowd was long gone, Martina Navratilova walked back into Arthur Ashe Stadium.
``I took a photo on centre court,'' she said. ``Just for posterity sake.''
A month before her 50th birthday, Navratilova finished off her competitive career Saturday night by winning her 59th Grand Slam title, teaming with American Bob Bryan to take the mixed doubles championship at the U.S. Open.
On Sunday, she was standing at the same spot to be inducted, along with the late Don Budge, into the U.S. Open Court of Champions.
``The body of work is what I'm proud of, and the passion that I bought to this sport,'' she said in the ceremony before the men's final. ``And probably as far as more personal is just being true to myself and speaking my truth and living it.''
Navratilova and Budge joined past inductees Jimmy Connors, Margaret Court, Chris Evert, Steffi Graf, Billie Jean King, Jack Kramer, Rod Laver, Ivan Lendl, John McEnroe and Bill Tilden.
Budge became the first player to win the coveted Grand Slam when he won all four majors _ the Australian, French and U.S. Nationals and Wimbledon _ in 1938. He died in 2000.
Budge's sons, Jeff and David, accepted the commemorative Court of Champions ring in his honour.
Navratilova won 167 singles championships and 176 women's doubles titles after starting her pro career in 1973. She told the crowd that living life as a tennis player should stem from a passion within.
``It's not about fame, it's not about money, it's about love,'' she said.
Evert and Navratilova talked about their longtime rivalry that was built on mutual respect. Evert told fans that they'd seen something special Saturday night.
``Last night you witnessed history. No male or female at 49 years old, one month short of her 50th birthday, will ever win a Grand Slam title again. Ever, ever, ever,'' she said.
Navratilova left tennis in 1994, but returned for doubles in 2000. She said she now wants to work in and out of the tennis world. Longtime doubles partner Pam Shriver paid tribute to Navratilova during the ceremony.
When Shriver said that Navratilova's career was complete, Navratilova shook her head yes. When Shriver added, ``until she get bored and needs new challenges,'' Navratilova smiled, but shook her head no.
© The Canadian Press, 2007
