Even tennis legend Martina Navratilova has shared her thoughts on the WNBA drama involving Indiana Fever star rookie Caitlin Clark. In a recent post on X (the social media platform formerly known as Twitter), the 67-year-old Navratilova said that WNBA players should tone it down when it comes to their perceived harsh treatment of the former Iowa Hawkeyes superstar.
“The players in the WNBA need to realize that Caitlyn Clark is helping all of them, now and in the long run. Caitlyn is the tide that will raise all boats!” wrote Navratilova, who is regarded as one of the greatest tennis players and female athletes of all time.
Martina Navratilova comes to the defense of Fever star Caitlin Clark
Navratilova's comment came on the heels of a vicious foul Clark absorbed in last Saturday's Fever game versus the Chicago Sky. During an inbound play in the second half of that contest, Clark got sent to the ground after getting hit by Sky guard Chennedy Carter. That one play has sparked a tsunami of discussions among fans, athletes, and media personalities about whether such a move from Carter was simply a part of Clark's journey as a rookie in the WNBA or if that was a dirty play that has no place in basketball. At the same time, it's simply not just a simple conversation, given the fact that Clark is widely regarded as already the face of the WNBA, someone who has done more generating interest in the league than any other player.
In the eyes of Navratilova, WNBA players should appreciate Clark more and be less hostile to her.
Navratilova's take was met with all sorts of reactions from people online. One X user pushed back on Navratilova's point, saying that she got it wrong when she implied that the Fever first-year guard is having that kind of immense impact on the league and its players.
“It already has worked. There is no denying it. Every player who is in the WNBA has worked their butts off and for sure they are not getting paid enough. I do believe that Clark will have a positive impact on the salaries for all the players. That’s my point. Thank you,” Navratilova fired back.
When challenged further by the same commenter who replied to Navratilova by reminding her that Clark was also talking trash at Carter, the 18-time major singles champion responded by saying that she was mostly just concerned about the play that laid out Clark.
“I never said she was a saint. I was calling out a dirty play which was also stupid. If you want to go after someone, do it from the front. That’s all. Better yet- block their shots and win the game- that’s the best revenge,” Navratilova answered right back.
For what it's worth, Caitlin Clark and the Fever secured a 71-70 victory at the expense of Carter and the Sky. Clark scored 11 points and added eight boards, six dimes, and a steal while connecting on four of her 11 attempts from the field and going 2-for-9 from behind the 3-point line.
Clark has a big target on her back and she knows it. Considered by many now as the face of the WNBA, Clark will continue to attack eyeballs. As a ball-dominant Fever weapon, she can also expect to see opposing players play rough against her. In any case, Fever games are always going to be a must-watch so long as Clark is playing.
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