The seven biggest rivalries in women's tennis history, part 2: Chris Evert vs Martina Navratilova
Crazy 80 times, Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova have met in the course of their careers - part 2 of our series of the greatest tennis rivalries in history!
by Florian Goosmann
last edit:
Mar 24, 2020, 06:31 pm
Evert attracted attention in 1972 with a bang: With only 16 years and thanks to a wildcard, she reached the semifinals of the US Open - the start of a long and successful career. She only resigned in 1989.
At first glance, Evert didn't play the most spectacular tennis, which is why she made no secret of it. And yet at second glance, it offered a lot more - good angles, clever changes in pace, for her opponents it was difficult to see what was coming next. "The Ice Princess", "America's Sweetheart" and "Chris America" she was christened, the more surprising her engagement to "Bad Boy" Jimmy Connors, her way of rebellion; in the end she marries the British player John Lloyd.
On the other hand, Navratilova, whose talent was recognized just as early, but who was stuck in the political system of Czechoslovakia. When she had fled to the USA, the later "Grande Dame des Tennis" enjoyed life there, including junk food; in the end, and with the help of a strict diet and fitness plan, like fellow countryman Ivan Lendl, she became one of the fittest actors ever.
Evert with mega balance on sand
Statistics show how dominant Evert and Navratilova were: from 1975 to 1987, up to 23 weeks, one of the two was always at the top of the world rankings, in the end it was 260 weeks for Evert and 332 for Navratilova.
While Evert clearly dominated the rivalry of the two until the late 1970s, the duel then turned towards Navratilova, who won 13 matches in a row against "Chrissie" from 1982 to 1984 (and during that time 8 of their 18 Grand - Islam title fetched). Evert struck again in 1985 and 1986 in Roland Garros.
Their victory record on sand is the highest in women's tennis with 94.5 percent (382: 22 wins); their 89.97 win rate is the highest in the open era. In her heyday she was unbeaten on clay for 125 games in a row, also a record, of course.
Logically, the balance on turf sees the serve-and-volley specialist Navratilova 10: 5 in front, on sand Evert was 11: 3 in the lead. Navratilova topped the all-time list of won individual tournaments with 167 successes. Navratilova ended her career in 1994, but returned a few years later for short trips on the lawn in singles - and more permanent in doubles and mixed. Here she won her last major title in 2006 - number 59. In the end she was with 18 majors in singles, 31 in doubles and 10 in mixed. Her record of victory in her best year 1983: 86: 1; in addition there are 74 won matches in a row - both of course a record.
The facts
| Chris Evert | Martina Navratilova | |
| Born | December 21, 1954 | October 18, 1956 |
| Individual titles | 154 (including 18 Grand Slams) | 167 (including 18 Grand Slams) |
| H2H | 43 | 37 |
The encounters in grand slam finals
| year | competition | Winner | Result |
| 1975 | French Open | Evert | 2: 6, 6: 2, 6: 1 |
| 1978 | Wimbledon | Navratilova | 2: 6, 6: 4, 7: 5 |
| 1979 | Wimbledon | Navratilova | 6: 4, 6: 4 |
| 1981 | Australian Open | Navratilova | 6: 7 (4), 6: 4, 7: 5 |
| 1982 | Wimbledon | Navratilova | 6: 1, 3: 6, 6: 2 |
| 1982 | Australian Open | Evert | 6: 3, 2: 6, 6: 3 |
| 1983 | US Open | Navratilova | 6: 1, 6: 3 |
| 1984 | French Open | Navratilova | 6: 3, 6: 1 |
| 1984 | Wimbledon | Navratilova | 7: 6 (5), 6: 2 |
| 1984 | US Open | Navratilova | 4: 6, 6: 4, 6: 4 |
| 1985 | French Open | Evert | 6: 3, 6: 7 (4), 7: 5 |
| 1985 | Wimbledon | Navratilova | 4: 6, 6: 3, 6: 2 |
| 1985 | Australian Open | Navratilova | 6: 2.4: 6, 6: 2 |
| 1986 | French Open | Evert | 2: 6, 6: 3, 6: 3 |