'Average' debut for Martina

Martina Navratilova is making her debut at Wimbledon this week - in the HBO commentary box, alongside her friend and mentor Billie Jean King and, maintaining her usual outspoken style, the astute nine-times champion was noticeably forthright in analysing matches.

"It was fun being able to talk and being able to be more candid than when you play," Navratilova said. "On TV you can speak your mind a lot more. Still, I can't say everything that's on my mind. You have to be mindful of people's emotions and reactions. But it still gave me the opportunity to say a lot more than I normally would.

"And that was just the beginning. I was still pretty non-controversial, but I'm sure stuff will pop up in the next couple of weeks where I will say some things that may ruffle some feathers."

Claiming to have no basis to offer a critique on her commentating skills, Navratilova reluctantly proffered an opinion.

"Average," she said, laughing. "I didn't do anything spectacular, but I didn't screw up, either."

King was more generous to her newest colleague, saying, "I'd give her an A. She's articulate. And she has a very good memory, which is helpful in broadcasting and which I don't have."