Tennis analyst says it's "crazy" anti-trans tennis star Martina Navratilova gets Netflix doc after years of "insane tweets"

A tennis commentator has publicly criticised Martina Navratilova over her views on transgender athletes, following news that the former world number one will be the subject of a forthcoming Netflix documentary.

Navratilova is set to feature in a new Netflix film focusing on her historic rivalry with Chris Evert, one of the most celebrated partnerships in women’s tennis history, with the documentary scheduled for release later this year .

However, the announcement has prompted criticism from tennis analyst Lucy Khadija, who questioned why Navratilova was being celebrated given her long‑standing opposition to the inclusion of trans women in women’s sport.

Posting on social media, Khadija said she was surprised by Netflix’s decision, writing: “How Martina Navratilova gets to have a doc on Netflix after years of the most insane tweets is actually crazy,” later adding: “Once again they can get away with anything.” 

Navratilova, an 18‑time Grand Slam singles champion and one of the most influential figures in tennis history, has repeatedly argued that allowing transgender women to compete in women’s sport is unfair to female athletes. Her comments, often made on social media, have drawn sharp criticism from LGBTQ+ campaigners, fellow athletes and commentators.

The controversy has reignited debate over how sports institutions and media platforms handle legacy figures whose views have become increasingly divisive.

While supporters argue that Navratilova is entitled to voice concerns about fairness in sport, critics say her rhetoric goes beyond policy debate and risks fuelling hostility towards trans people. Some have questioned whether major platforms should continue to celebrate figures whose public statements have caused harm to marginalised communities.

Netflix has not commented on the criticism surrounding the documentary, which is expected to focus on Navratilova and Evert’s on‑court rivalry and dominance of women’s tennis during the 1970s and 1980s.

Navratilova herself has previously said she has been “jettisoned” by parts of the LGBTQ+ community over her trans‑related views but has maintained she is “on the right side of history” when it comes to women’s sex‑based spaces and sports categories .