“Felt Threatened”- Chris Evert Makes Bold Martina Navratilova Confession Amid US Open

One of the rivalries in tennis that we can never forget is the one that Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova. We don’t just remember it for the intensity that the animosity carried, but also for the longevity and its impact on the sport. The duo clashed for around 80 matches between 1973 and 1988, and Navratilova led by 43-37. This rivalry even got to the pages of the Guinness Book of World Records for the most tennis Grand Slam singles meetings (female), with the numbers amounting to 22 matches. Again, Navratilova led by 14-8. Now, as the stars have retired, their 15-year-old rivalry has also come to an end. And all that remains now is a reminiscence of the former fury that raged in them. Well, that’s what they claimed during their recent meeting. 

With the help of Polo Ralph Lauren, Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova got the chance to reconnect. Not as rivals on the court, but as two former champions, reflecting back on the golden days. That’s when the Czech-American star pointed out that she laid her eyes on Evert on a USLTA tour for the first time. While Evert won the first tournament, Navratilova still impressed her. The ESPN commentator remarked, “That’s when you left a big impression. I was like, ‘Whoa! This girl is really good!'” But all Navratilova wanted to do was make her opponent remember her name.  

Reacting to that, Chris Evert claimed, “You really came on the radar, I think, with everybody. And I felt very threatened. Especially on a fast court, you had all the weapons. And I hadn’t seen a player like you, ever.” She continued to reflect on their early rivalry. It was a time when Evert dominated the court as the world number one. “I think I won the first five or six, and then ended up winning 15 out of 16,” she commented. 

And that was when Navratilova brought Rennae Stubbs into the picture. She began to learn the tactics and techniques of the sport. And before the fans knew it, she began beating Evert. Navratilova recalled, “I had a plan and I had the game for it. Those were some sweet years there that I’ve almost felt like I couldn’t lose.”  

Well, it was as if something had snapped in the Czech player. She lost one match in a year, and then for two consecutive years, she kept beating Chris Evert. The numbers even tallied to 13 wins over Evert in a row. And the ESPN commentator admitted that she lost the games as she stepped onto the court. Why? She blamed Navratilova’s aura, confidence, and game. According to Evert, her opponent’s athleticism was unmatched. But the real reason for the Czech star’s rise was always Evert. Navratilova confessed, “You were the motivation for me to get better.” 

2023 WTA, Tennis Damen Finals – Day 5 CANCUN, MEXICO – NOVEMBER 2: Chris Evert of the USA, former professional tennis player, during a join press conference, PK, Pressekonferenz with Martina Navratilova, a Czech-American, on Day 5 of the GNP Seguros WTA Finals Cancun 2023 part of the Hologic WTA Tour, on November 2, 2023, in Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico. Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert comprise one of tennis and sports most iconic rivalries. Over 15 years from 1973 to 1988, they played 80 matches, 60 of them finals. Navratilova led with 43 wins to Evert s 37 in their head-to-head battles, and she secured 36 victories to Evert s 24 in finals. This enduring rivalry epitomizes tennis excellence in the Open Era. Cancun Mexico PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxFRA Copyright: xArturxWidakx originalFilename:widak-2023wtaf231102_npV2J.jpg

 

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