Navratilova to hit tennis balls off Kilimanjaro

Tennis legend Martina Navratilova says she is planning to hit tennis balls off the top of Africa’s highest peak.

The 54-year-old is climbing Tanzania’s 19,340-foot mountain next week to raise money and awareness for the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation.

Navratilova has never climbed higher than 12,000 feet (3,660 metres) before but lives in Aspen, Colorado, so is somewhat used to altitude.

“It’s just a basic hike except you get to be pretty high and there’s not much air up there, but it doesn’t require much mountain climbing experience,” Navratilova said.

Navratilova, who watched Kenyan youths play football in Nairobi today during a Laureus foundation event, said she has always wanted to climb Kilimanjaro.

“I was hoping to do it privately, so I’m petrified of failing because then the whole world would know,” she said. “I’m in decent shape. I know I’m in good enough shape to get to the top, but will the altitude get me? That’s something you can’t predict until you get there.”

The fundraising goal for the climb is €100,000 and more than half of that has already been raised.

Navratilova said she will carry a tennis racket to the top but does not know if she will find a game up there.

“I’m bringing one racket and I’ll hit a few balls from the top to see how far they can travel,” she said.

“With the air being that thin they should go a long way.”