Martina Navratilova has never gone into seclusion as a tennis player, but now that she's 52 years old, Boston Lobsters coach Bud Schultz wonders whether people really understand just how good she still is.

Navratilova, who will be playing for the Middleton-based Lobsters in World Team Tennis again this season, is no figurehead who was hired to meet and greet fans at Ferncroft Country Club. She still has a lot of game, as they like to say, and those skills will be on display for the Lobsters' July 16 home match against the Springfield Lasers.

"At her age, she doesn't have the mobility that the younger players have, but she won't be playing singles for us, just doubles," said Schultz, a Bates College graduate who is in his first season as the Lobsters coach. "But she still moves up and down the court very well and she hits the ball better than 95 percent of the women who are currently touring. And even now, she is ultra-competitive."

There's no such thing as challenging Navratilova's credentials. It means the world to a pro tennis player to win even one Grand Slam title in his or her career. Navratilova has won 59 Grand Slam events — 18 in singles, 31 in women's doubles and 10 in mixed doubles. In her heyday, she had an intense rivalry with Chris Evert, who also won 18 grand slam singles titles, but Navratilova is generally considered more proficient because of her versatility in doubles.

You can say Navratilova and "greatest player of all time" in the same sentence and not draw a snicker. Schultz puts her in that category and not just because he's coaching her for the first time. A member of the New England Tennis Hall of Fame who was once ranked as high as No. 39 in the world, Schultz genuinely believes it.

"It's funny how the world of tennis is sometimes," said Schultz. "People talk about Roger Federer (15 Grand Slam titles and still going strong) as the most talented-ever player on the men's side, but just look at all the slams Martina has won. It's mind-blowing. She is arguably the greatest singles player of all time and unquestionably the greatest doubles player in the history of the game. When you sit down and look at everything she's done, the numbers are eye-popping."

Schultz will be banking on Navratilova, who is in her 20th season in the WTT, in women's doubles and mixed doubles in the four matches that she's committed to playing. The rest of his team isn't too bad, either.

Jan-Michael Gambill, who reached a peak ranking of No. 14 in the world in 2001 and who has beaten such players as Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi and Federer on the tour, is back with the Lobsters after playing both singles and doubles last year. Raquel Kops-Jones, out of Fresno, Calif. and the University of California, is another returnee from last season. Meanwhile, the newcomers to the roster are James Auckland, originally from Great Britain, who is particularly strong in doubles, and Stephanie Foretz, from Chatillon, France, who is also solid in doubles.

Kops-Jones, 26, is an up-and-coming player who is starting to make a bit of noise on the tour. She reached the second round of the Australian Open, a Grand Slam event, earlier this year, and she has taken off in doubles, surging to a No. 31 world ranking after being in the 60s last year.

"I had a good experience (with the Lobsters) last year, so it's nice to be back," said Kops-Jones. "It's team-oriented, similar to playing in college. You do things as a group, meet new people and create some friendships. It's only three weeks, but it's a different dynamic and a good little break from the tour."

As a young player, Kops-Jones feels fortunate to be on the same team with Navratilova. It can be the best kind of learning experience just being around such a legendary player.

"She's a good role model," Kops-Jones said of Navratilova. "When I saw her last year, I was amazed at her skill. She looks very natural on the court. Maybe she's lost a step or two, but I can totally see her talent and athletic skill. She's been such a great influence on the game and I can always learn by example."

Gambill, who was one of the top players in the league last season, according to Schultz, has the potential to be a fan favorite again. He is one of the game's big hitters. Literally.

"He's a big, strong guy who has the firepower to take it to the top players," said Schultz. "He has a big serve, a big return and big groundstrokes. He can stand in there and compete with anyone."

The Lobsters open their home season tonight against the Kansas City Explorers. The hottest attraction of the season, Serena Williams, comes to Ferncroft on Thursday with her team, the Washington Kastles.

COOKING WITH THE LOBSTERS

WHAT: Boston Lobsters of World Team Tennis

WHEN: Tonight (season opener) against the Kansas City Explorers, 7 p.m.

WHERE: Tara-Ferncroft in Middleton

TEAM MEMERS: Martina Navratilova, Jan-Michael Gambill, Raquel Kops-Jones, James Auckland, Stephanie Foretz.

COACH: Bud Schultz (first season)

STAR ATTRACTION: Serena Williams visits the Lobsters on July 9 with her team, the Washington Kastles.