"A Birch Lane Press book."

Includes index.

Martina Navratilova, the world's most famous female tennis player, won a record nine Wimbledon championships. Judy Nelson, born and raised in Texas and the epitome of the "Southern Belle"--Tall, statuesque, and blond, beautiful and articulate - was a former National Maid of Cotton and a graduate of Texas Christian University. The two came together ... and the result was Love Match. Judy and Martina first met when Martina was playing a doubles tournament in Fort Worth.

In 1982. Judy, married and the mother of two sons, was introduced to Martina by her son Eddie, then eleven, who was serving as a ball boy for one of Martina's matches. A friendship grew. For two years the women exchanged cards and phone calls. Then, in March 1984, over a long, uninterrupted lunch, they fell in love. Judy, still married, didn't know what to do, and neither woman was clear about what the declaration of their feelings meant to their lives. What happened.

Thereafter is the explosive substance of Love Match, the unvarnished, objective story of a romance between two women - the choices that were made and the risks that were taken. They made a commitment in church and exchanged rings. For seven years Judy and Martina were inseparable. Then Martina broke off the relationship. Judy was devastated, as were her sons and her parents. At last she decided to act. For she and Martina had agreed, in writing, "that each would share in.

Whatever was accumulated during their relationship." The ensuing "palimony" case engendered headlines around the world - and intensified the heartache. As the two headed for trial, a settlement was reached. The how and why of that settlement are here - along with the details of a very rare and special romance - a love match.