Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, March 15, 1992                   TAG: 9203150065
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: C9   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: DALLAS                                LENGTH: Medium

NAVRATILOVA, FORMER LIVE-IN COMPANION REACH SETTLEMENT

The malpractice suit against Jerry Loftin of Fort Worth, Texas, is still pending even though Navratilova and her former lover settled their 10-month case Friday. Terms of the settlement with former beauty queen Judy Nelson were not disclosed.

Nelson, who lived with Navratilova from 1984 until their breakup last year, contended the nine-time Wimbledon champion broke a "non-marital cohabitation agreement."

Loftin became Nelson's lawyer in the suit seeking half Navratilova's earnings during the seven years the women lived together. Navratilova blamed Loftin for not looking out for her interests. Loftin did not return a phone call Saturday.

Navratilova spokeswoman Linda Dozoretz said a grievance hearing before a committee from the State Bar of Texas has been set for April 8 in Fort Worth.

Carol Birch, a lawyer for Navratilova, said Friday's settlement helps clarify damage Navratilova suffered.

"What we're alleging is that but for Loftin's conduct, she wouldn't have been in the situation she was in, there wouldn't have been a lawsuit and she wouldn't have had to pay money to settle it," Birch said Saturday.

Birch said she does not know when the suit against Loftin is expected to be heard in court.

Navratilova said the expenses of battling Nelson finally forced her to settle out of court.

"It's too costly, and now I can just get on with everything," Navratilova said. "The lawyers are laughing all the way to the bank."

Lawyers on both sides disclosed that Nelson will receive the couple's $1.3 million home at Aspen, Colo.

"They made a deal they can both live with," said Gary DeShazo, another Navratilova lawyer. "I think it's OK. It's a case that should have been resolved earlier . . . Nobody's ecstatic over it."

In September, Navratilova, 35, described Nelson, 45, as selfish and vindictive after the end of their relationship.

"Judy wants me to pay for the pain I caused her in not wanting to be with her anymore," she said. "My crime here is stupidity, naivete and not loving Judy anymore. For that I have to pay."

The two lived in Fort Worth from 1984 through 1989 before moving to Aspen.

"The history of this is that Martina is sorry that she finds herself in this lawsuit and in this position," Navratilova lawyer Barbara Lynn said.

The trial, scheduled for April 6, will not take place if State District Judge Harry Hopkins dismisses the lawsuit, as lawyers expect.

During pre-trial hearings last fall, the women said they agreed on financial terms of a settlement. But they disagreed on a no-publicity clause that would stop Nelson from selling her story.

The settlement apparently clears the way for Nelson to write a book about her relationship with the tennis star.

Navratilova said: "Apparently it's only about our relationship and that has been pretty well documented, so I don't know what there could be of more interest to the general public. But Judy feels the need to talk about it, so I'm not going to stop her."