Martina Navratilova slams Senator John Kennedy as 'entitled bully' after controversial behavior addressing New Orleans attack

Martina Navratilova is widely considered to be one of the greatest tennis players of all time, having dominated the game of women's singles in the 1980s. The American retired from the sport in 2006 but has continued to maintain her platform, often voicing her political opinions. Most recently, she hit out at Republican Senator John Kennedy for his controversial behavior at a press conference addressing the New Orleans terrorist attack.

On Wednesday, January 1, at least 15 people were killed on New Orleans’ famous Bourbon Street, as a truck driver plowed into a crowd of people celebrating the New Year. Later in the day, Sen. Kennedy and other officials took questions about the attack. During the press conference, Kennedy took over the podium from FBI special agent Alethea Duncan, a move that drew immense criticism.

Addressing the Senator’s behavior, an X user wrote:

‘US Senators shouldn't takeover the mic from an FBI ASAC who was doing a fine job. She didn't need him to explain what she was saying but you can't really punch a senator at a press conference.”

Responding to this Martina Navratilova wrote:

“Kennedy is just another entitled bully.”

Outside of John Kennedy taking over the press conference from the FBI, the 72-year-old was also criticized for various remarks he made. These allegedly included a dig at an NBC news reporter and promises to “raise fresh hell” and “chase the federal government who are responsible for telling us what happened like they stole Christmas” if he was not satisfied with the FBI’s findings.

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Martina Navratilova targeted Sen. Kennedy’s comments to public policy advisor Saule Omarova in 2021

Martina Navratilova (Image Source: Getty)

This isn't the first time Martina Navratilova has expressed her disapproval regarding Senator John Kennedy. In 2021, Kennedy addressed President Joe Biden's pick for currency comptroller Saule Omarova.

An X account posted clippings from a parliamentary meeting where Kennedy was questioning Omarova, writing:

“Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA): ‘I don’t know whether to call you professor or comrade’. Someone off-camera: ‘Oh my goodness.’ Dr. Saule Omarova, Biden’s comptroller currency pick: ‘I’m not a communist. I do not subscribe to that ideology. I could not choose where I was born’.”

Reacting to this, the tennis legend wrote:

“Kennedy is not stupid. He just pretends he is.”

Martina Navratilova first rose to fame in 1978 when she stormed to the win at Wimbledon. Over the next 25 years, she went on to win 18 Grand Slam singles titles. The American called time on her career in 2006 and now lives in Florida with her wife Julia Lemigova. She has continued to stay in the spotlight and uses her platform to speak about the issues she cares about.