Tennis legend Martina Navratilova criticized WNBA players for hard fouls against rookie Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever.
During a game against the Chicago Sky, Clark took hard fouls from Sky players Chennedy Carter and Angel Reese that resulted in Clark falling to the floor.
Navratilova said on social media that WNBA players should realize Clark is helping grow the league’s popularity and financial prospects.
“The players in the WNBA need to realize that (Caitlin) Clark is helping all of them, now and in the long run. (Caitlin) is the tide that will raise all boats!” Navratilova wrote on X.
When others noted Clark’s own trash talking, Navratilova maintained she was only calling out dirty play, saying players should face opponents from the front rather than with hits from behind.
“I never said she was a saint,” Navratilova added. “I was calling out a dirty play, which was also stupid. If you want to go after someone, do it from the front. That’s all. Better yet – block their shots and win the game – that’s the best revenge.”
Clark said of the Carter incident that she needs to respond calmly and let her play do the talking.
“I wasn’t expecting that, but it’s just, ‘Respond, calm down and let your play do the talking.’ It is what it is,” Clark said.
The Fever next play the Liberty as criticism continues around how Clark is treated on the court.
