Martina Navratilova has been reflecting fondly on her friendship with the late Hollywood actress Katharine Hepburn, calling her 'an amazing woman.'

Tennis legend Navratilova has been a star of the sport for decades. During her highly succesful career, she won a combined total of 59 major titles - 18 in women's singles, 31 in women's doubles, and 10 in mixed doubles, leading some to call her the greatest tennis player of all time.

However, the 66-year-old has recently been reflecting on a friendship she had with star of the screen Katharine Hepburn.

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Navratilova feels 'lucky'

Hepburn's celebrated acting career spanned six decades and saw her win four Academy Awards for Best Actress. She was known for playing independent, outspoken and sophisticated women, personality traits which were said to be similar to her real-life personality.  

Her legacy has also been respected for many years, as she was named the greatest female star of classic Hollywood by the American Film Institute in 1999.

In 2003, Hepburn passed away at the age of 96 after suffering a cardiac arrest, which was a result of an aggressive neck tumor.

Recently, Navratilova shared her love for the film star and gratitude for their friendship on social media. In response to a meme featuring Hepburn, she tweeted

"I was lucky enough to be called a friend by her"

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A long-lasting friendship

The bond between the tennis player and the actress was clear as far back as Wimbledon 1983 when Navratilova gifted Hepburn her tennis racket after her victory.

Last year, Navratilova had the chance to share this again after being awarded with the seventh annual Spirit of Katharine Hepburn Award by the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center. The award is given to those who represent the "bold spirit, fierce independence, and distinctive character of the legendary actress."

Navratilova thanked the Center on social media whilst also praising Hepburn herself,

"Thank you, quite the honor, that's for sure. What an amazing woman Kate truly was," she wrote.

Martina Navratilova

@Martina

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Replying to @sueveneer

I was Lucky enough to be called a friend by her:)

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