Navratilova bows out without Billie-Jean record

LONDON: Martina Navratilova took her final bow at Wimbledon on Thursday after failing in her bid to  set a record for All England Club titles.

The 49-year-old, unbeatable in her heyday on Wimbledon grass where she won a record nine singles titles, lost 7-5, 6-1 alongside Mark Knowles on Thursday in the third round of the mixed doubles to Vera Zvonareva and Andy Ram.

She also competed in the women's doubles, losing in the quarter-finals.

Navratilova turns 50 in October and has said 2006 will be her last year on the circuit.

She won her first title at Wimbledon in 1976 and her last in mixed doubles in 2003 to equal Billie-Jean King's record of 20 titles. Her haul comprises nine singles, seven doubles and four mixed doubles.

In a professional career spanning more than 30 years she claimed 18 grand slam tournament wins and a record 167 singles titles in total -- more than any man or woman.

She also won 174 doubles titles.