Sports News

In Sports News: Martina Navratilova's glittering career has come to an end with victory in the mixed doubles at the US Open - the tennis legend says she feels both joy and sorrow at retiring at the age of 49; Martin Damm wins the men's doubles at the US Open, taking his first Grand Slam title at 34; javelin great Jan Zelezny receives a standing ovation at his last international meeting; and Sparta Prague's new boss gets off to a winning start in a game of two halves.

Tennis legend Navratilova ends incredible career on high

Martina Navratilova, photo: CTK

One of the most remarkable careers in the history of tennis has just come to an end, with Martina Navratilova finally hanging up her racquet just weeks ahead of her 50th birthday. And what a way to finish: in her last ever match Navratilova (partnered by Bob Bryan) won the mixed doubles final at the US Open - bringing her Grand Slam titles tally to an incredible 59. The Czech-born legend told Czech Radio how she felt about retiring.

"It's a strange kind of feeling - both joy and sorrow, but it's more joy, because I now have my career behind me and now I can do whatever I want. I have a lot of possible plans...in Prague we're going to do an exhibition called Art Grand Slam, in the middle of October. So I have a full programme, and I don't have to worry and train to stay in condition for the next tournament. That's behind me now."

Martin Damm celebrating first Grand Slam trophy at 34

Martina Navratilova and Bob Bryan beat the Czech duo of Martin Damm and Kveta Peschke in the mixed doubles final. But Damm didn't leave Flushing Meadows too unhappy - he won the men's doubles with Leander Paes of India, finally taking his first Grand Slam title at the age of 34.

Standing ovation for Zelezny at final international meeting

Jan Zelezny, photo: CTK

Navratilova wasn't the only Czech sporting great to retire at the weekend: the great Jan Zelezny appeared at an international athletics meeting for the last time, coming sixth at the World Athletics Final in Stuttgart on Sunday. Zelezny, who is now 40, received a standing ovation from the crowd before his final throw.

Spotakova breaks Czech women's javelin record for third time this year

Barbora Spotakova, photo: CTK

Also in Stuttgart Barbora Spotakova set a new Czech women's record in the javelin, with a throw of 66.21m. She had previously set two new records this year. Spotakova's great throw also secured gold at the World Athletics Final.

New Sparta boss off to winning start but team fails to convince

Horst Siegl and Michal Bilek, photo: CTK

Sparta Prague's new manager Michal Bilek got off to a winning start at the weekend, with a 2:0 home victory over Zlin. But Sparta again exposed their shortcomings, only impressing in the second half after sending on substitute Libor Dosek, who scored both goals. Here is Sparta boss Michal Bilek.

"In the first half we played very badly, we didn't hold on to the ball, we didn't create chances, we didn't pose any danger in our opponents' goalmouth. That's why we made some changes and strengthened our attack, played more simply and sent in more crosses from the wings. I'm glad we won and that Dosek got two goals - it's good for him and it's good for us."

Sparta are now fifth in the league, five points behind leaders Mlada Boleslav and Liberec.

Czech ice hockey league resumes after summer break

Zlin - Litvinov, photo: CTK

The Czech ice hockey Extraliga resumed on Friday after the summer break. Pardubice, Ceske Budejovice and Zlin took maximum points from their opening two games.