Navratilova plans double Wimbledon assault

"We played a lot better yesterday — and they played a lot better today," Navratilova said.

She was angered that the match did not start until 8 pm on Tuesday evening, when it was almost impossible to finish before dark.

"There was no excuse for that," she said. "It was simply bad scheduling. It’s obvious if you go on at eight you aren’t going to get finished. It’s not an excuse for losing — it’s just silly scheduling."

Navratilova, 43, has linked with South African De Swardt to play doubles at four events this summer — culminating with Wimbledon, where she could win a record 20th title.

Navratilova said she was likely to play in the mixed doubles at Wimbledon with one of the world’s top doubles players — India’s Mahesh Bhupathi.

The veteran left-hander said she was looking forward to playing on grass, which has always been her favourite surface.

"Both Mariaan and I will be more effective on service on grass — and it should help both of our serve and volley games," she said.

Navratilova won 167 singles titles during her remarkable career. Along with her 18 Grand Slam singles crowns she also collected 31 Grand Slam women’s doubles and seven mixed doubles titles along the way.

She has not played singles competitively since 1994 or doubles since 1996.

Asked if it was still fun to play tennis when losing matches she would have won in her prime, Navratilova was unequivocal.

"It’s still fun — absolutely," she said. "It’s fun to compete, to still be an athlete, but I hate losing. It sucks."

Asked whether she would play the US Open if she and De Swardt did well at Wimbledon, Navratilova was non-committal.

"Who knows?" she said. "I could be in Kenya."

Navratilova has a lifelong interest in wild life and spends several weeks each year in Africa.