“Women in America were...”: Martina Navratilova once recalled how Chris Evert’s ‘girly’ look divided fans and rivals

Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova had a great rivalry in tennis. Billie Jean King called it the best ever. Evert and Navratilova played 80 matches, including 14 Grand Slam finals. Navratilova led their head-to-head record. They are now close friends. They are making a documentary about their rivalry. Both supported each other during cancer treatment.

Martina Navratilova once recalled how Chris Evert’s ‘girly’ look divided fans and rivals (Image via Getty)

Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova played one of the greatest rivalries in sports. They met 80 times between the 1970s and 1980s. Billie Jean King, a tennis legend herself, said in 2024 that this was the best rivalry in history. She said that if they had been men, people would still be talking about it today. Evert and Navratilova also met in 14 Grand Slam finals. Navratilova won 10 of them. Their matches ruled women’s tennis for nearly 20 years.

Billie Jean King praises Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova

Billie Jean King spoke to the WTA in 2024. She said the rivalry was not only the best in tennis but in all sports. “If they were two guys, we’d still be hearing about it all the time,” King said. She believed their battles lifted women’s tennis to a new level. Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova were very different players. Chris Evert stayed calm and steady at the baseline. Martina Navratilova attacked the net with speed and power. From 1973 to 1988, fans around the world watched them fight for every point. Navratilova led the head-to-head record 43–37. Martina Navratilova also spoke about Evert’s influence. She said Evert changed the way people looked at women athletes. “Chris was very girly. That’s just who she was,” Navratilova told the WTA in 2024. “She showed you can be great, strong, and still girly. She brought many new fans and young players into tennis.” Also Read: Andre Agassi And Steffi Graf’s Son Jaden Agassi Shares Unseen Photos With Catherine Holt As Couple Celebrates Love

Martina Navratilova remembers her bond with Chris Evert

In 2025, Martina Navratilova spoke on Andy Roddick’s podcast Served. She said she and Chris Evert are still close. “We call here and there, and we text. Usually, we’re sending each other tips on what shows to watch on Netflix,” Navratilova said. She also revealed they are working on a new documentary. It will show their rivalry and their friendship. It is planned to release in early 2026. Martina Navratilova said their story had many emotions. “It had respect, like, hate, rivalry, but most of all, respect that never went away. We were always very empathetic to each other,” she said. Their closeness has grown in recent years. Both Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova faced cancer. Evert said Navratilova was her support during treatment. They spoke openly about the “mental and emotional” side of the illness. What began as a rivalry has become one of the strongest friendships in sports.

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