Edberg and Navratilova to receive Golden Racquet Award during Rome Open

Tennis legends Martina Navratilova and Stefan Edberg were bestowed with the 'Golden Racquet' during a special ceremony on Sunday at the 2023 Rome Open.

The 'Golden Racquet' is an esteemed award which is presented each year to a male and female tennis great at the Masters 1000 event.

Edberg, a former World No.4, won 81 singles titles and 18 doubles trophies. The Swedish star never stood out on clay, but did reach the 1983 Roland Garros final. Furthermore, in 1983 he became the lone achiever of a junior Grand Slam. Then, as a pro, he conquered six major singles – two each, Australian (1985, ’87), Wimbledon (1988, ’90), U.S. Open (1991, ’92). Edberg will receive the award on May 12.

Alternatively, Navratilova received the Golden Racquet before the women’s final. The former World No.1 captured 167 singles titles, 177 doubles titles and won 2,189 matches in her career. Furthermore, she lifted her latest major title in 2006, a month away from her 50th birthday. The Czech-American won the mixed doubles championship at the US Open, becoming the oldest player in history to win a Grand Slam event.