This Reader Chokes on Tinling’s Quote

In his story on how Martina Navratilova blew the U.S. Open final to Steffi Graf, Thomas Bonk quotes tennis historian Ted Tinling as saying this was not out of character for her, and that:

“It was unlikely that Martina would get through a big final without choking.”

Tinling’s logic escapes me. Did Martina “choke” her way to 17 Grand Slam singles titles and more than 20 in doubles, one of the best records in tennis history?

Tinling’s selection as a source may have been inadvisable in this instance. Research shows he is still listed as a fashion designer, including women’s tennis clothes--and, as such, could soon be a competitor of Martina’s, who showed her new line of women’s tennis outfits on network TV last week.

BOB DAVIDSON, Santa Monica