Martina Navratilova says she will miss Eastbourne as much as any other tournament after bidding farewell to singles tennis in the Hastings Direct Championship.

The 47-year-old was knocked out of the second qualifying round by Elena Likhovtseva 6-4, 6-2.

It was an end of an era for the tournament Navratilova made her own since it began in 1974.

The Ladies legend has won the title 11 times, more than any other player, as part of a glittering career which has seen her win a total of 20 Wimbledon titles.

She finally plans to retire at the end of the year and is looking to make a swansong in each major tournament.

But after she left court one to a standing ovation by the Devonshire Park crowd, it was obvious she will miss this particular competition as much as any.

She said: "Of course I have a soft spot for Eastbourne because I've got lots of great memories. I've been playing here since its conception in 1974, so I feel we have sort of grown up together.

"It's always nice to be here because there's such a relaxing atmosphere. You can walk to the courts from the hotel and walk to the restaurants, you don't even need a car.

"When the weather is good it's as good a place to be as any, especially in the build up to a Grand Slam. It's as good as it gets really.

"The tennis is still competitive but the town is also so peaceful. I was in London for a couple of days before I came here and it was an assault on the senses with all the noise. Here, when you open the window, you can actually hear the birds chirp."

Navratilova already has plans for what she will do after finally hanging up her racket.

She said: "This is definitely my last year. I've just had enough and it's time to give something back to the supporters who have given me so much encouragement because tennis is a selfish sport.

"I intend to get into politics but I want to give something back to tennis, to pass on the knowledge and teach the little kids how to play the game. I'll run an academy in America to help people who work hard. But I'm not done yet."

Navratilova, ranked 993 in the world, was given a wild card for Eastbourne and won her first qualifying match 6-4, 6-3 on Saturday against Italian Mara Santangelo, 22.

It was her first singles win in two years and she is still considering whether to take the singles wild card for Wimbledon, if she is offered it, because she is also planning to play in the doubles and mixed doubles.

Navratilova is warming up for Wimbledon by playing the doubles alongside American Lisa Raymond tomorrow.

She believes world No. 4 Amelie Mauresmo will take the Eastbourne title.

Navratilova said: "Mauresmo has got to be a favourite. She has done very well on clay (winning in Rome and Berlin) and to me she has the game to win a big one on grass. She's the most talented player out there."

An outside bet could be Likhovtseva if she gets through her final qualifying match against Saori Obata of Japan.

The Russian has reached the quarter-finals of both Wimbledon and the Australian Open and impressed against Navratilova.

Former British No. 1 Elena Baltacha, ranked 341 in the world, is also looking to qualify today against South African Cara Black after beating compatriot Jane O'Donoghue and Tamarine Tanasugarn of Thailand.

Amanda Janes could face Mauresmo in the second round. Janes, daughter of 1961 Wimbledon finalist Christine Truman, will face Mauresmo if she wins her first round game against one of the winners of today's final qualifying rounds.

Action in the singles continues today while the doubles competition starts tomorrow.