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If you're going to get engaged, why not go big? Tennis legend Martina Navratilova did just that when she proposed to her girlfriend between the U.S.Open men's semifinals on the big screen of Arthur Ashe Stadium yesterday. She popped the question to Julia Lemigova in the Tennis Channel Suite, which sparked a huge cheer from the crowd.
"I was very nervous", Navratilova told the AP about her big moment. She continued, "It came off. She said yes. It was kind of an out-of-body experience. You've seen people propose at sporting events before, in movies, in real life. Here it was happening to me. It was like I was watching myself do it."
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Initially, someone had suggested that Navratilova propose during the changeover in the first match between Kei Nishikori and Novak Djokovic, but she was concerned with disturbing the players. She also attempted to get the start of her Champions double match with Java Novotna against Tracy Austin and Gigi Fernandez postponed for fear the men's match would go five sets, but luckily for Navratilova, it ended in just four and the proposal went off without a hitch. She then went on to win the doubles match, so the day was filled with victory.
As for the wedding, Navratilova and Lemigova have stated that they would like to get married in Florida, where they both reside. In August, a federal judge ruled that the state's ban on gay marriage was unconstitutional, but officials in Florida are now appealing that ruling.
Congrats to the happy couple!