Tennis legend Martina Navratilova blasts ‘misogynistic’ op-ed saying Taylor Swift is ‘not a good role model’

Martina Navratilova is slamming a “misogynistic” op-ed piece that called Taylor Swift a bad role model for being “childless” and “unmarried” at the age of 34.

The legendary tennis player, 67, shared an excerpt from an article published by Newsweek last week in which writer John Mac Ghlionn called the pop star “not a good role model.”

“At 34, Swift remains unmarried and childless, a fact that some might argue is irrelevant to her status as a role model. But, I suggest, it’s crucial to consider what kind of example this sets for young girls,” the reporter wrote in his piece.

Ghlionn continued, “A role model, by definition, is someone worthy of imitation. While Swift’s musical talent and business acumen are certainly admirable, even laudable, we must ask if her personal life choices are ones we want our sisters and daughters to emulate.

“This might sound like pearl-clutching preaching, but it’s a concern rooted in sound reasoning.”

Navratilova re-tweeted Indian author Kiran Mandral – who called the Newsweek op-ed “barf inducing” and “vomit worthy” – before chiming in with her own criticism.

“A massive pile of misogynistic bull💩💩💩,” Navratilova wrote via X over the weekend. “This guy should be ashamed of himself and I can’t believe he writes for Newsweek…and they printed it. I mean…”

Several social media users flooded the comments section of the athlete’s post to express their mutual disgust over the harsh think piece.

“I look forward to follow-up articles commenting about the failure of Keanu Reeves, Charlize Theron, Diane Keaton, Leo DeCaprio [sic], Chris Evans, Jared Leto and Jon Hamm to be good role models by marrying and having children,” one person commented.

Navratilova replied to the netizen, writing, “Right? Misogynist AF!!! And btw- Taylor never claimed she was a role model, ASAIK. Also remember Charles Barkley’s comment years ago about role models ? And generally speaking, athletes are more likely to be held out as role models than pop stars etc, for obvious reasons…”

“This would NEVER be written about a 30-something male celebrity who was unmarried and childless,” a second person agreed.

“Someone tell the author of that article the 1970s are on the phone & want him back,” a third person joked.

“The ultimate irony is her boyfriend Travis [Kelce] is the same age, unmarried & childless. Oh the irony,” another noted.

Swift and Kelce, both 34, started dating last summer and took their love public in September 2023.

Since then, the duo have gotten quite serious, with sources even telling Page Six that they could be engaged as soon as this summer.

Navratilova, for her part, has been married to Russian model and “Real Housewives of Miami” star Julia Lemigova since 2014.

The couple are considering adopting children together after the tennis champion beat two forms of cancer last year.

Like her wife, Lemigova is clearly also a Swiftie and even bought the exact dress the Grammy-winning artist once wore.