My Dual Citizenship: Why Did the Media Get It So Wrong?

They say bad publicity is better than no publicity.

I beg to differ. I have been dealing with the press for about 35 years now and I still get surprised -- surprised by how wrong they can get it.

Take this report last week on my receiving a dual citizenship -- I got my Czech citizenship back while keeping my US citizenship. I thought it was going to be a rather harmless, not that interesting story except perhaps in the Czech Republic. I have, in fact, tried to apply for Czech citizenship back in 1998 or 1999 but the paperwork (copies of my Czech birth certificate, my USA citizenship certificate, etc.) got lost in the mail. It obviously took me a long time before I applied again. The reasons for getting dual citizenship were multiple. I have been traveling to the Czech Republic on a monthly basis to visit my ailing mother who could no longer come to visit me in the States. I also started doing business there and having a Czech citizenship made sense from that point. And of course there is an emotional component here. When I left then Czechoslovakia, I did it because of the repressive communist government, not because I did not like the country or the people.

I fell in love with the US, its democracy and the people. And since most of the tennis tournaments were played here, it made perfect sense for me to make my home in US. I applied for US citizenship and received it on July 20, 1981. Since then I have proudly represented the US in numerous competitions, including the Fed Cup, the Wightman Cup and the Athens Olympics. In fact, in 1986 I helped win the Fed Cup for USA in Prague, beating Czechoslovakia in the finals.

In 1989 Czechoslovakia became a democracy and I could now be proud of my birth country for all the right reasons. I have never said that I wanted to get dual citizenship because I was unhappy with the Bush administration. Yet this is what was reported. I have never, ever said I would denounce my American citizenship once I get my Czech one, yet somehow this was also reported. And of course I am now getting a big share of negative response to these allegations. The fact that they are false does not seem to matter to the reporters telling these stories.

I love my birth country and the fact that it is now a free country and a true democracy. But my home is here, in the US. I have lived in America since 1975 and I intend to always live here. This is my home and it feels almost gratuitous to me that I have to affirm my love for the USA. I live here, I vote here, I pay my taxes here and yes, I will do my jury duty... any reports stating I am leaving and most of all, denouncing my American citizenship are simply not true and quite frankly, insulting.

Having dual citizenship is not an unusual thing for millions of Americans and I am baffled how being one of them turned into such a negative proposition. My fellow dual citizenship countrywoman, Madeleine Albright, certainly did not catch this flack... so why me? Beats me...but such is the power of the press. Sometimes, they don't let facts get in the way of their story. And that is a shame.

Visit Martina's website at www.martinanavratilova.com.

Comments

[MaynardGK]

Note to Martina :
Even though I pay attention to news I have not heard of this until this article. So cheer up, the right wingers' bird-shot sprays everywhere to anybody not in their lock-step know-nothing mentality.

[unfoxworthy]

Martina,
I liked you better when I thought you WERE doing it because of the Bush Administration.
Someday, when we're all old and gone...there will be no such thing as borders. As it has been said many times, the finest fences/borders are built with "understan­ding"...no­t control...as we have now.
---
Loved watching you play.

[Not Blind]

I am a dual citizen, and am grateful and proud of my native land, as I am to be an American. When my children were born (here), I registered them in my native country, so they'd have E.U. citizenship as well. My oldest was able to live and work in Greece, Cyprus and England for nearly 2 years. It was the learning experience of a life-time, as he traveled to many countries in addition to the experience of living abroad. My second spent a year studying in Europe and had a practical, yet phenominal experience as she trotted from one country to the next. My youngest is looking forward to a similar experience and will be leaving for Europe this summer for a year. While we're all patriotic, tax-paying and law-abiding citizens, the experiences we've had and nourishing our curiosity about our ancestry, cultural and linguistic heritage is something that will always be valued.

[Benmyoho]

Yes, Martina, it's the same SLANTED media, that is pushing us to swallow the Obama pill. No way will I do that. What am I, a simpleton?

[KarenZipdrive]

Well, at least the media is finally off your back about being gay.
Not much progress by the media in second guessing your dual citizenship quest, but at least the Christian right isn't trying to burn you at the stake.

[darcy]

The press is so irresponsible, it is appalling. Don't let the idiots get to you, Martina.

One of the high points of my tennis playing/watching years was being about six feet away from you as you played doubles on one of the outer courts of the US Open. I still have the photo and still can't believe the biceps!

You are a great lady, and I wish you every happiness and success. You love dogs, just like me, and for that I'd admire you, if for no other reason.

[bushlies]

Martina: I miss the old days when you and Chris used to go at each other in the finals of all the Grand Slams. How much fun it was to watch both of you and your friendly rivalry. Don't let the homophobes and Faux News get you down. Many defectors from Communist Eastern Europe have dual citizenship now that their birth nations are free (in many ways more so than the USA is now). My best wishes to your mom. It's tough to watch your parents get old and sick.

[LBKN]

... yes, yes... you have been victimized... and victimization is so uncommon these days.

[MitchW]

Congrats on the dual citizenship! Very wise move to avoid US taxes and take advantage of the declining dollar - a lot of folks in your bracket are doing the same thing.
"You are required to pay taxes in the Czech Republic only if you are deemed to be a tax resident. A tax resident is someone who resides in the Czech Republic for more than 183 days in a year"
Well - got to get back to work now - so I can have a little more withheld to make up for the tax loss to our nation. (sarcasm off)

[aurelio23]

Mitch, you need a psychiatrist. And also a tax lawyer here and in Prague. It is so easy to sling mud at people!

[BillOfRights]

Ahh, if only Martina could get off so easily. US citizens are required to file and pay US taxes no matter where they live on the planet, and for how long. To the best of my knowledge, the only country in the world that has such a ridiculous law. Imagine moving from California to another state, and then having to continue to file and pay state income taxes in California forever. Doesn't really seem fair.

In any case, income taxes are higher in the Czech Republic, so it would make absolutely no financial sense for Martina to move there.

[HermioneGranger]

Isn't it a good thing to avoid paying taxes, starve the government beast and so on? What happened to true conservatism?

[Honza]

Dobro, Martina, I waited 45 years for the Commies to get out of of Town, 1990 my first of eleven trips ending in 2005,totaling over four years living and learning of where my parents came from, result many cousins. . Learned to read and speak Czech, regret the breakup of the Slovaks. My love was watching your tennis play, and all those that came from the Czech , and Slovak side, don't let the media try to discredit you for who you are, a great Champion. Love your commentary on the Tennis channels, you tell it like it is, your name will be in the Hall of Fame.

[Hephaestion]

We love you Martina! Stay strong and we will support you all the way!

[winkster]

I applaud your strength and beauty Martina! I have always admired you, from the day I almost got run over by you and your trainers at the US Open in the early '80's. I was just an young teenager and I accidentally ambled in your way. What an experience! I was awed then and I remain awed. Thank you for speaking out against the ignorance of the press and standing up for what you believe in. We should all take inspiration and become more involved!

[LBKN]

...lolol... the awe borne of proximity...

I once drove through LA... so I have a warm squishy feeling for John Wayne.

[MadeinAmericaProud]

Governorship for Martina,
able to inspire a person to get involved

The governor of California
ran off those girly men

[rroy]

It's interesting why Martina's blog has reappeared!My comment is not meant to be critical,it's just interesting.
Perhaps it's because the overwhelming response has been in her favor.
I must admit,having lived on this earth and in this country a long time,this is the first time I have ever engaged in a discussion about dual citisenship.I find it to be a very interesting topic that arouses my curiousity and I want to learn more about it.
In the meantime my attitude about Ms N's plight remains very much in her favor.
I'v bumped into Martina a couple of times very informaly and briefly in Aspen Colorado.She impressed me as courtious,­friendly,a­nd a hell of a skier.I hear she also plays a mean game of tennis.

[HermioneGranger]

Every European living in the U.S. tries to get dual citizenship, if possible, That's really a no-brainer.

[tess08]

Martina,
you should file for damages, it's the only way the dishonest newshounds will learn a lesson about reporting the truth---through their pocketbooks.

[LBKN]

who the hell is Martina Navratilova???... and what is her effect on the economy, the war, the primaries, the weather, religiosity, the Center for Disease Control, Homeland Security, terrorism, evolution, NASA, education, food prices, pesticide use, African hunger, China trade, Tibet, global warming?????????

..........­..........­..........­..........­..........­..........­..........­.....?????­??????

Oh, she play with a ball. How absolute! How emergent! How droll.....

[Boobaloo]

Martina ... it must be an awful feeling to be attacked like that and to have your character questioned because of lies. We're still living in an era where one can never be Patriotic enough and all actions can be twisted and distorted to accuse anyone of disloyalty.

I think you're an extraordinary athlete.

[MadeinAmericaProud]

I think she can honestly say she knows how Sen. Obama feels. By the way where do we find the official rules, and or policies of true patriotism like mccain has advertised lately. Looks to be from 50 years ago? Is it still current only those being held pow for a few years the only test.?

what else is there? If I have salute a flag on all the gas stations I will never get where the hell I am going. I know Obama has flown it for some people not being patriotic enough, maybe they salute every flag flying on every building homes outhouses, gas stations and have flag pins even on their underwear.

OK only the educated people I would appreciate hearing from for me and simpleton. thanks