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Engraved portrait of Chris Evert
Sports · 1970s

Chris Evert

In memoriam 1954–
TennisSport
Represented United States in Fed CupTeams
18 Grand Slam singles titles, 157 career singles titlesTitles
Seven French Opens; 260 weeks at world No. 1Records
Christine Marie Evert, Fort Lauderdale, FloridaBorn
The Turning Point

Evert announced herself in 1971 as a 16-year-old amateur with a stunning run to the U.S. Open semifinals. Her two-handed backhand and unflappable baseline game soon made her the world's top female player and a star throughout the 1970s.

Chris Evert competing in 1983
Chris Evert competing in 1983

Florida Beginnings

Born in Fort Lauderdale, Evert was coached by her father Jimmy on the local public courts. Her precise two-handed backhand became one of the most influential shots in tennis.

Chris Evert playing tennis at Camp David
Chris Evert playing tennis at Camp David

Baseline Dominance

Evert's consistency and mental toughness made her nearly unbeatable from the back of the court. She won 18 major titles and held the world No. 1 ranking for 260 weeks.

Beyond the Court

After retiring in 1989, Evert became a respected tennis broadcaster and founded a tennis academy. She has been open about her battle with ovarian cancer, raising awareness for the disease.

Career Timeline

  1. 1971Reaches U.S. Open semifinals at age 16
  2. 1974Wins first French Open and Wimbledon titles
  3. 1975Becomes world No. 1 for first time
  4. 1975Wins first of four straight U.S. Opens
  5. 1976Voted Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year
  6. 1978Rivalry with Navratilova intensifies
  7. 1982Wins Australian Open for career title sweep
  8. 1985Wins sixth French Open title
  9. 1986Captures seventh and final French Open
  10. 1989Retires after U.S. Open quarterfinal
  11. 1995Inducted into Tennis Hall of Fame

Biggest Hits

1986
Eighteen Grand Slam singles titlesOpen Era record at the time of retirement
1986
Record seven French Open titlesMost singles titles in Paris by any woman
1982
Six U.S. Open championshipsJoint-record for most U.S. Open singles titles
1981
World No. 1 for 260 weeksYear-end No. 1 a total of seven times
1981
Three Wimbledon titlesChampion on grass at the All England Club
1989
Won 90 percent of career matchesOne of the highest win rates ever
Did You Know
  • Evert's rivalry with Martina Navratilova spanned 80 matches over 16 years, the greatest in women's tennis.
  • Nicknamed 'the Ice Maiden' for her calm court demeanor, she reached the semifinals or better at 52 of her 56 Grand Slam events.

Portrait: Unknown author · Public domain · via Wikimedia Commons

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