Martina Navratilova has once again called for the elimination of the serve let rule in tennis, a move she believes will speed up the pace of matches and make the game more exciting for fans.
What happened?
The 18-time Grand Slam singles champion has been a vocal critic of the serve let rule for years, and her latest comments come as Wimbledon 2026 continues to generate discussions about improving the flow of matches. According to Navratilova, the current rule, which states that a serve that touches the net cord before landing inside the service box must be stopped and replayed, is unnecessary and slows down the game.
Why it matters for Martina Navratilova
Navratilova's argument is that most lets involve only minimal contact with the net and that stopping the action slows down the pace of matches unnecessarily. She believes that players should simply continue competing, treating a serve that touches the net like any other shot during a rally. "Eliminate the net cord, everyone knows I talk about it all the time. Nobody advances with it, get rid of it, it's useless," Navratilova said in an interview with the BBC.
What comes next?
Navratilova's comments have gained renewed attention during Wimbledon 2026, and her argument is that tennis already accepts elements of luck during rallies. Net cords, unexpected bounces, and fortunate points are all part of the sport, and she believes serves should not be treated differently. "We should just continue to play the point. Most lets are just a slight graze. Keep playing and speed up the pace of the match," she added.
In addition to her criticism of the serve let rule, Navratilova also praised the strength of Czech tennis after Wimbledon produced an all-Czech women's singles final between Linda Noskova and Karolina Muchova. Speaking to the BBC ahead of the final, Navratilova explained why the Czech Republic continues to produce elite players despite its relatively small size. "There are clubs everywhere. Every small town has two, three or four clay courts and there is so much more good coaching now," Navratilova said.
She also highlighted the competitive environment young Czech players grow up in, pointing out that they learn how to compete from an early age. "They have lots of tournaments and they play sets when they go to the club, they don't just hit balls," the 18-time Grand Slam champion added. "They play sets and learn how to compete in singles and doubles, which teaches you to be a better tennis player. That's why you see the Czechs all have a complete game. Even the baseliners can still volley."
Noskova's victory over Muchova marked another historic milestone for Czech tennis. The 21-year-old became the sixth player from the nation to win a Grand Slam singles title, joining Petr Korda, Jana Novotna, Petra Kvitova, Barbora Krejcikova, and Marketa Vondrousova. It also continued a remarkable Wimbledon run for Czech women's tennis, with Noskova becoming the third different Czech champion at the All England Club in four years after Vondrousova in 2023 and Krejcikova in 2024.
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