During their World Cup debut on Friday evening, the United States Women’s National Team caused some controversy when the majority of players on the team chose not to sing for the national anthem or put their hands on their hearts. But now a tennis star is defending their decision.
Over the weekend, conservative politician Nikki Haley posted a tweet blasting the United State’s soccer team, but then tennis legend Martina Navratilova came to the players’ defense.
“The US women’s soccer team is living the American Dream. They were born in the freest, fairest country in the world that has rewarded their hard work. They should remember that blessing & the men & women (like my husband) proudly defending it next time the national anthem plays,” Haley said in a tweet.
They are defending it by playing their hardest and winning most of the time. Not by singing. Get a grip and start talking about solutions rather than searching for problems where there aren’t any.
— Martina Navratilova (@Martina) July 24, 2023
Martina Navratilova had a pretty strong response to Haley, making it clear that she thinks that team is honoring their country with their dominant play on the field, not whether or not they choose to sing the national anthem.
“They are defending it by playing their hardest and winning most of the time. Not by singing. Get a grip and start talking about solutions rather than searching for problems where there aren’t any,” Navratilova said in a tweet.
It’s a pretty clear defense from Navratilova.
