What happened to Martina Navratilova after criticizing Imane Khelif over viral false image? Everything about her controversial stance and fan backlash

Martina Navratilova, tennis' most decorated athlete in the Open Era with 59 Major titles, recently came under fire for criticizing Olympic gold medalist Imane Khelif after a false image of the Algerian boxer's male physique circulated online.

The 25-year-old's Olympic campaign was marred with controversy as her eligibility was questioned after reports of a failed test. This stirred several debates all over the world, much of it revolving around claims of the Algerian being transgender or intersex, or even a biological male, despite the IOC president Thomas Bach quashing all claims by saying that the issue wasn't a "transgender" case.

This did not stop celebrities such as JK Rowling and tennis personalities like Boris Becker, Judy Murray, and Navratilova from criticizing Khelif on social media.

The Czech-American Navratilova was vocal with her criticism on social media as she called Imane's participation in the Olympics "deplorable" after the latter's first-round bout where Angel Carini withdrew from the fight. The tennis legend wrote:

"Deplorable. This will not end well for the people in power who allowed this to happen."

The former World No. 1 took to social media multiple times over the course of the Paris Games 2024 to voice her criticism of Imane's participation.

She shared a post attacking the organizers and the people in charge, which read:

"Shame on everyone who allowed this to happen and finally, shame on those of you who have the audacity to defend why this should happen. This isn’t women’s sport, this is a disgrace. #SaveWomensSport #Paris2024"

Navratilova wrote in addition:

"This is on all officials and people in power at the IOC- from the top down- you did this. Hope you’re proud."

The controversy surrounding the two has shifted back into the spotlight after Navratilova took to social media to share a purported image of Khelif that has since been shown to be false. Navratilova referred to the Algerian as a "male" and denounced the 25-year-old for robbing female boxers of medals and victories.

"What we have been saying for months. And for calling his person a man or at least a male, we got called all kinds of names and most of all the women this male took medals and wins from. Just awful," she wrote.

Navratilova was condemned on social media for sharing an AI-generated image without verifying its authenticity. There has been a barrage of posts coming her way criticizing the Czech-American's attitudes and beliefs.

The former World No. 1, in addition to her original statements, also reshared a post mocking Imane's lawsuit against JK Rowling and suggesting that she shouldn't have been allowed to spar at the Olympics.

Despite X users warning the 18-time Grand Slam winner not to fall prey to misinformation, the former World No. 1 refused to withdraw her statements and doubled down on her stance that Imane Khelif was "male," deeming it a fact.

"What misinformation? Facts are facts," she commented.

She also responded to a fan who said, "Why would you fall for this?"

"Imane is male. Fall for what?" she wrote.

Navratilova was also asked by a concerned fan why she kept hurting the Algerian.

"That is not a real photo. Why do you keep hurting her," a fan commented.

"I always find this grandma's views weird. She spent her whole career having her gender questioned for having male features, you'd expect her to be an advocate to stop this type of bullying on athletes but this is her take... *sigh*," a fan opined.

"Sometimes personal biases get the best of you,"a fan thought.

"This is a photoshopped photo, Martina. I know you have strong feelings about this, but please don’t fall for and spread this garbage," a fan stated.

"How embarrassing @TennisChannel - you got an employee out here sharing fake pictures of an athlete and inciting her hate as usual," a fan called out.

Her opinions on the controversy reiterate her vehement opposition to transgender athletes competing in female categories when they are biologically male.

In a recent appearance on 'The Politics War Room with James Carville & Al Hunt Podcast', Navratilova discussed the natural physical differences between male and female bodies and the need to protect female players.

"Identity is one thing, but identity does not apply to sports. Sex category applies to sports. Male bodies are different from female bodies," Martina Navratilova said. [52:25]

"When it comes to female sex-based spaces, which includes sports, then I think we need to put a line there and say 'We just really need this space to be female.' And that's the end," she added. [53:14]

Despite repeated criticism and contradictory evidence, Martina Navratilova continues to maintain her stance that transgender athletes should be excluded from female sports to protect women.