Martina Navratilova told Reuters that she felt great physically despite her breast cancer and that her six-week radiation therapy in Paris during next month's French Open will not get in the way of commitments.

"My life has not changed other than I have to be in one place for six weeks to sit through radiation," she said.

"I still play hockey, I am playing tennis this weekend and I'll be commentating for the Tennis Channel during the French Open and Wimbledon."

Navratilova who is a health and fitness ambassador for AARP, a non-profit organization that helps people over 50 improve the quality of their lives, will remain active. She plans to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa this December!

"It's not like promoting a tennis match ... it's interviews talking about breast cancer that is happening in my body," she said. "It's been very difficult but I am happy I can spread the word and hopefully help save some lives with this awareness."


She also said the tennis season must be shortened to help protect players from injury. She referred specifically to Rafael Nadal who was unable to defend his Wimbledon crown last year because of tendinitis in his knee, as an example.

"Look at Nadal. He is a guy in his prime physically and he can't handle it," said Navratilova.

"Players are taxed so much because there is there is so much demand for their time. but most of all we are traveling more, playing on hard surfaces and the season is too long and needs to be shortened."


(via Reuters, photo/Reuters Pictures)

Martina Navratilova plans to attend French Open despite radiotherapy