Former tennis champion Martina Navratilova, who fell ill during a charity climb of Africa’s highest mountain, has been discharged from hospital.
Miss Navratilova was midway through her ascent of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania when she became unwell and had to be helped down by porters.
The 54 year old had been leading a team of 27 climbers including British badminton ace Gail Emms.
But she was forced to quit her fundraising climb for the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation charity after suffering a high altitude pulmonary oedema, an accumulation of fluid in the lungs.
As she left hospital in Kenya, she said: “I am feeling much better and really pleased to be going home. I’d like to thank all the staff at Nairobi Hospital, who were wonderful, and really took care of me. The care I received during my three days in hospital was excellent.
“I have also been very touched by all the messages of support I have received over the past few days.
“It’s great to know that the team have all returned safely from the mountain. I was so pleased to hear that so many of them made it to the summit despite the weather conditions.”
Emms was one of 18 out of the 27 fundraisers to reach the 19,341ft summit on Saturday.
Miss Navratilova won 18 singles Grand Slam titles.
