Martina Navratilova, 59, proposed Saturday to her longtime girlfriend Julia Lemigova in a very big way — popping the question in front of the U.S. Open crowd via the Jumbotron at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing, New York.
As her Tennis Channel boss, Ken Solomon, was interviewing her, Navratilova turned toward her girlfriend and said that she had her own question she needed to ask, according to People.
The Tennis Channel commentator then got down on one knee and presented her girlfriend with an engagement ring, according to New York Daily News.
After asking the important question, Lemigova said, “Yes!”
The newly engaged couple then opened a bottle of Moët & Chandon Brut Imperial champagne to celebrate their engagement and future together.
“I have been waiting for the right time to ask Julia to marry me,” said the newly engaged, 18-time grand-slam-winning champion. “I thought this was the right place and the right time to pop the question, and thankfully I got a yes.”
Martina Navratilova proposes to girlfriend between semi-finals at the US Open
http://t.co/2dOnoP0q3V pic.twitter.com/ve4gn9JDFb
— The Independent (@Independent) September 7, 2014
Aww! Martina Navratilova surprises partner Julia Lemigova with big-screen proposal at US Open http://t.co/Q6asC9uYJa pic.twitter.com/fekfV1x8Q9
— Metro Sport (@Metro_Sport) September 7, 2014
Navratilova, a former Dancing With the Stars contestant and breast cancer survivor, came out publicly as gay in 1981.
Congratulations @Martina!
Navratilova proposes on the big screen…and the reply is YES! https://t.co/V4mqfb4nt8 pic.twitter.com/dgsC9YS6Dw
— Eurosport (@Eurosport) September 7, 2014
This will be the first marriage for Navratilova, who won a history-making 1,442 singles matches.
Thanks everyone for your good wishes- I am very happy, so is Julia and our whole family:)
— Martina Navratilova (@Martina) September 6, 2014
The tennis champion and the 42-year-old former Miss USSR have been a couple since 2006 and have two daughters from Lemigova’s previous relationships.