Serve On SI

Martina Navratilova Parties With NHL Champions Florida Panthers

The Florida Panthers let Martina Navratilova drink beer out of the Stanley Cup.

Pat Benson

Martina Navratilova drank beer from the Stanley Cup.
Martina Navratilova drank beer from the Stanley Cup. / Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports

You never know where a simple dinner can lead you. Last night, tennis legend Martina Navratilova celebrated her wife Julia Lemigova's birthday when they ran into another party.

NHL Champions Florida Panthers were at the same restaurant, still riding the high from Monday's Game 7 victory over the Edmonton Oilers. Next thing Navratilova knew, she was invited to hang out with the Panthers.

Even better, Navratilova got to drink beer out of the Stanley Cup. The Hall of Famer shared a video on X (formerly known as Twitter). She added, "And then I got to do this:) Beer was never so sweet as this sip:)".

Navratilova also shared a picture with Panthers center Aleksander Barkov. She said, "So this happened when I took Julia out for her birthday- the Panthers were at the same restaurant- how lucky am I? This lucky- hanging out with Aleksander Barkov:)!!! #StanleyCupChampions."

The 18-time Grand Slam Champion is a sports legend and is easily invited to any throw-down hosted by a professional sports team. She can clearly hold her own with the best of them.

While the NHL season is over, grass court season is just hitting its stride. Navratilova will help lead Tennis Channel's Wimbledon coverage beginning on July 1. Tennis fans can follow Sports Illustrated's Serve on SI for all the most important news from the sport.

Further Reading: Andy Murray is rushing back from surgery to play in Wimbledon.

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Pat Benson

PAT BENSON

Pat Benson covers the sneaker industry for Sports Illustrated's FanNation. Previously, he has reported on the NBA, authored "Kobe Bryant's Sneaker History (1996-2020)," and interviewed some of the biggest names in the sports world. You can email him at 1989patbenson@gmail.com.

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