SYDNEY Reuter: World number one Martina Navratilova and her coach Mike Estep, whose partnership yielded 25 grand slam tennis titles over the past three and a half years, have parted ways.
The announcement of the amicable breakup came just three days before the start of the Australian open at Koo young.
A statement issued here by Navratilova said Estep, a former professional player, wanted to follow up other tennis interests and the pair had left on good terms.
Estep took over as Navratilova’s coach from Renee Richards after the Czechoslovak-born player was upset by American Kathy Horvath in the fourth round of the French open in 1983.
A spokesman for the Women’s International Tennis Association said Estep’s temporary replacement would be Randy Crawford. He is the teaching professional at Ridglea Country Club near Navratilova’s home in Fort Worth, Texas.
Article extracted from this publication >> January 16, 1987
