Tennis ace Martina Navratilova is the latest celebrity to join
the popular American television show Dancing with the Stars.
The 55 year-old sports professional was announced as part of the
line-up on Tuesday during news magazine Good Morning America.
Competing against the likes of singer Gladys Knight, actor Jack
Wagner and Welsh singer Katherine Jenkins, Navratilova is already
an early odds-on favorite to make it to the finals after being
partnered with Tony Dovolani.
Speaking at the launch of the new season in Los Angeles, she said:
"I like to conquer my phobia. I was afraid of heights. I got a
pilot's license. My biggest fear was to drown, so I got a
SCUBA-diving license. I get embarrassed dancing by myself, so I
figured why not do it in front of millions of people.
"Staying focused on something physical for such a long time is
easy for us and it does involve your body. And I think if you excel
in one sport, it's easy to pick up the movements in another."
Yes, despite her determination, she also admitted that it will be
a challenge.
"Tennis is all closed up. This is all open and my hands are
totally doing the wrong thing. It's a learning experience."
Last year, the show sparked debate after Chaz Bono became the
show's first trans character.
