Sporting icons : Chris Evert - Her glittering tennis career & video

 

Chris Evert is a retired American tennis player, born on December 21, 1954. Regarded as one of the greatest female players in tennis history, Evert's career spanned from the 1970s to the 1980s. She won a total of 18 Grand Slam singles titles and maintained a remarkable rivalry with Martina Navratilova. Known for her consistent baseline play and mental toughness, Evert was a dominant force in women's tennis and became an iconic figure in the sport.

Chris Evert, a former professional tennis player, has an impressive list of achievements. Here are some highlights:

### Achievements:

1. **Grand Slam Titles (Singles):**

   - Australian Open: 1982, 1984

   - French Open (Roland Garros): 1974, 1975, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1985, 1986

   - Wimbledon: 1974, 1976, 1981 

   - US Open: 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1982

2. **Grand Slam Titles (Doubles):**

   - French Open (Roland Garros): 1974 (with Olga Morozova)

   - Wimbledon: 1976 (with Martina Navratilova)

   - US Open: 1974, 1975, 1978, 1980 (all with Navratilova)

3. **Olympic Gold Medal:**

   - 1984 Los Angeles (Demonstration event)

4. **Fed Cup:**

   - Helped the United States win seven Fed Cup titles (1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1986)

5. **Year-End Championships:**

   - WTA Tour Championships: 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1983

6. **WTA Tour Awards:**

   - Player of the Year: 1974, 1975, 1977, 1980, 1981

   - Comeback Player of the Year: 1985

### Style of Play:

Chris Evert was known for her exceptional baseline game, characterized by consistency, accuracy, and a strong two-handed backhand. Her strategic and methodical approach on the court, often referred to as the "Evert Model," involved a focus on minimizing errors and patiently waiting for her opponents to make mistakes.

She excelled on clay courts, particularly at the French Open, where her skill set and patient style of play were well-suited. Evert's mental toughness and ability to stay calm under pressure contributed to her success, making her one of the most dominant players in the history of women's tennis.

The rivalry between Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova is one of the most iconic and enduring in the history of women's tennis. Their intense competition spanned from the late 1970s to the mid-1980s, producing some of the sport's most memorable moments. Here are key points about their rivalry:

1. **Number of Matches:** Evert and Navratilova faced each other 80 times in official matches, with Navratilova holding a slight edge (43- 37) in their head-to-head record.  Also in Grand Slams Navratilova led 36-24 

2. **Grand Slam Finals:** They met in 14 Grand Slam singles finals, including three Wimbledon finals and 10 finals at the US Open. This contributed significantly to the narrative of their rivalry.

3. **Contrasting Styles:** Evert was known for her baseline game, consistency, and two-handed backhand. In contrast, Navratilova was an attacking player with a serve-and-volley style. This clash of styles added an extra layer of intrigue to their matchups.

4. **Shift in Dominance:** Initially, Evert had the upper hand in their rivalry, especially on clay courts. However, Navratilova worked on her game and fitness, eventually becoming more dominant on faster surfaces like grass and hard courts.

5. **Wimbledon Battles:** The Wimbledon finals between Evert and Navratilova became legendary. They faced each other in two consecutive Wimbledon finals from 1978 to 1979, with Navratilova winning in 1978 and 1979. Evert however won her last Wimbledon title in 1981 . 

6. **Mutual Respect:** Despite their fierce on-court battles, Evert and Navratilova developed a deep mutual respect for each other's skills and contributions to the sport. This respect has endured beyond their playing careers.

7. **Impact on Women's Tennis:** The Evert-Navratilova rivalry is credited with elevating the profile of women's tennis, attracting larger audiences, and inspiring future generations of players.

Their rivalry is often seen as a defining era in women's tennis, showcasing not only the competitive spirit of the sport but also the diversity of playing styles and personalities that make tennis so captivating.

In the below video  , watch Chris Evert beat Martina Navratilova in the semis of Australia open 1988