Martina Navratilova Shares Controversial Take on Surrogacy In Deleted Post

Martina Navratilova is causing a social media stir after seemingly sharing her controversial take on surrogacy.

“Surrogacy is just wrong. Sometimes you can’t have it all,” the tennis great, 68, allegedly wrote in a since-deleted post shared via X. A screenshot of the apparent post was shared via a fan account on Sunday, July 13, sparking instant debate from fans who both agree and disagree with Navratilova’s apparent take.

Us Weekly reached out to Navratilova several times for comment.

Many fans noted that Navratilova and her wife, Julia Lemigova, recently adopted two young boys, arguing that using a so-called “alternative” way of expanding their family made her apparent take on surrogacy hypocritical.

Navratilova has previously shared her beliefs regarding surrogacy on social media. In August 2024, the former pro tennis player equated surrogacy to something “straight out of Handmaid’s Tale” via X, referring to the best-selling novel by Margaret Atwood and subsequent television show set in a dystopian future in which women are forced to get pregnant, carry the pregnancy to term and give birth.

“I don’t agree with surrogacy, regardless of who is doing it,” Navratilova posted in a follow up tweet at the time, clarifying her stance. “But nice try tying to make it personal…”

That same month, Us confirmed Navratilova and her wife had adopted their sons.

“We are over the moon, recognizing the challenges and the rewards for everybody,” Navratilova shared in a statement with Us at the time.

While the boys are Navratilova’s first children, Lemigova, 53, has two daughters from previous relationships. Her late son, Maximilian, died from shaken baby syndrome at 5 months old while in the care of a nanny.

Lemigova spoke about the loss of her son during a season 6 episode of The Real Housewives of Miami, explaining that she turned away from religion in the wake of his death.

“I went to church, but I still didn’t get any answers,” the reality star said at the time. “In my case, it gave me more grief and pain. I just cannot walk into a church that easily.”

The tennis legend and Lemigova got married in December 2014 after several years together. Prior to expanding their family by adopting their two boys, Navratilova and Lemigova’s parenting journey was showcased during RHOM.

During the show’s fifth season in 2022, Lemigova shared her desire to eventually adopt. However, during the RHOM season 5 reunion, she said their plans had been put on hold after Navratilova was diagnosed with stage 1 throat cancer and breast cancer in January 2023.

“When you’re adopting a child, it has to be about the child. Right now, it’s everything about Martina, and for her [to be] getting healthy,” Lemigova explained. “We’re putting it on hold. You know, we were thinking [that at] any moment, the agency would call and give us happy news that we’re going to have a baby. … Instead, we are fighting two cancers.”

In March 2023, the retired athlete revealed that she was cancer-free. Since then, Lemigova has previously offered an update on her and Navratilova’s family planning.

“We’re definitely at our high. Martina is healthy,” she told Bravo in February. “We’re renewing our plans for the adoption and maybe we’ll get a happy call anytime. … [I’m] just living life at [the] fullest and I don’t think of tomorrow, I think of only today.”

Navratilova’s apparent tweet regarding surrogacy is just one of her many controversial social media moments. In June 2024, the former pro tennis player took to X again to slam an op-ed about Taylor Swift.

“A massive pile of misogynistic bull,” Navratilova posted at the time, along with a series of poop emojis. “This guy should be ashamed of himself and I can’t believe he writes for Newsweek … and they printed it. I mean …”

Newsweek made headlines at the time after publishing a piece that detailed reasons why the author believes Swift is “not a good role model.” Author John Mac Ghlionn noted that Swift, 35, “remains unmarried and childless” despite her various public romances. (The publication noted that the op-ed was later, but it’s unclear what was changed.)

“A fact that some might argue is irrelevant to her status as a role model,” he continued. “But, I suggest, it’s crucial to consider what kind of example this sets for young girls.”