"What I said was, If this was a woman they would be calling her a wh*re"- When Martina Navratilova felt she 'paid the price' for Magic Johnson comment

Martina Navratilova once addressed the backlash over her comments about Magic Johnson, saying she felt she paid the price for speaking out. The controversy stemmed from her remarks comparing the public’s reaction to Johnson’s HIV diagnosis to how it might differ if a woman athlete was diagnosed.

In 1991, Johnson stunned the world by announcing he was HIV-positive. After a routine physical before the 1991-92 season, he learned he had contracted the virus that leads to AIDS and announced his immediate retirement from basketball.

Following his announcement, Johnson received widespread support for openly addressing his diagnosis. Navratilova also weighed in on the issue, remarking that if a heterosexual woman had been in his position, she might have been labeled with derogatory terms like "w*ore" or "sl*t."

In a 2018 interview with Sports Illustrated, Martina Navratilova referred to her comments on Johnson as a moment she felt she paid the highest price for being outspoken, saying:

"When Magic Johnson tested positive for HIV. Everybody was 'Oh, poor Magic.' He slept with at least a thousand women by his own admission. I actually met Magic, I love him, I think he is an amazing person and, of course, basketball player."

"But what I said then, was that if this was a woman they would be calling her a w*ore. With Magic they were feeling sorry for him. If it was a woman they would say, 'She had it coming.' I said that and I caught a lot of s--- for that. I am like, this is the truth! It was such a double standard," the Czech-born American added.

Martina Navratilova: "I don't want Magic Johnson to take it personally... it is not meant as an offensive thing"

Martina Navratilova pictured at a press conference | Image Source: Getty

Shortly after her controversial comments about Magic Johnson’s HIV diagnosis, Martina Navratilova clarified to the media that she held the basketball legend in high regard, noting that no offense was intended.

"I met Magic and he is a wonderful man . . . and I certainly don't want him to take it personally because it is not meant as an offensive thing to him. But the double standard is there and it makes me mad as hell," she said in 1991.

The 18-time Grand Slam champion added:

"I had no idea this was going to happen. It's not something I am going to capitalize on, and I'm not trying to get attention. But I just want to convey the right message."