Evert–Navratilova rivalry

Chris Evert
Martina Navratilova
Chris Evert (left) and Martina Navratilova each won 18 Grand Slam single titles.

Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova are retired professional tennis players who engaged in an iconic rivalry for dominance in Women's tennis in the 1970s and 1980s. It is considered to be one of the greatest in Women's tennis history and in sports in general.[1][2][3][4][5]

In the 12 years from the introduction of the WTA rankings in November 1975 till August 1987, one of the two held the top spot in all but 23 weeks, switching multiple times between 1978 and 1985. In the first 615 weeks of the WTA rankings, they collectively held the No. 1 ranking for 592 weeks, Martina at 332 weeks and Chris at 260 weeks. In total, from 1973 to 1988 they played 80 matches, including 61 tournament finals.[1][6]

Starting at the 1981 Australian Open, through the 1985 Wimbledon, they won a record 15 consecutive grand slam singles titles. From the 1981 Australian Open to the 1987 US Open, they won 21 of those 24 grand slam singles titles and at least one of them appeared in each of those 24 consecutive grand slam finals. The only two players to win titles during that stretch were Hana Mandlikova (1985 US Open and 1987 Australian Open) and Steffi Graf (1987 French Open).

51 of the 90 matches the two played against each other were on the faster court surfaces (grass and indoors) that favored Navratilova's offensive serve-and-volley style of play over Evert's counter-attacking baseline approach. Evert enjoyed her greatest success against Navratilova on hard courts and especially on clay courts, but a minority of their matches were played on these surfaces. After Navratilova's loss to Evert in the 1975 US Open semi-final, Navratilova did not play Evert on clay again until the spring of 1981 (in the WTA Open). Indeed, she actively avoided challenging Evert on clay during this period, skipping the French Opens of 1979 and 1980 (which Evert won), and competing in just two clay court tournaments (the US Opens of 1976 and 1977 - which Evert also won). By contrast, Evert was competing regularly and frequently against Navratilova on grass and indoors throughout their long rivalry. Moreover, in the years of Evert's dominance of the game of Navratilova (from 1974 to 1978 especially), Navratilova was not the consistent player that Evert remained during the period of Navratilova's dominance of the game and of Evert (from 1982 to 1984 especially). In the earlier period of Evert's domination, Navratilova often failed to fulfill her seeding and reach her expected place in the semis and finals of major tournaments where she would have had to face Evert, whereas in the later period of Navratilova supremacy Evert was almost always the one coming through to face her in the latter rounds. These factors skewed the head-to-head record in Navratilova's favor. So did the fact that Evert did not switch from using wooden rackets to using the more high-powered graphite rackets that Navratilova had been using since 1982 until the start of the 1984 season. In outdoor matches, Navratilova led Evert 10–5 on grass; Evert led Navratilova 11-3 on clay courts; whereas the two were tied at 8-8 on hard courts. This gave Evert a 24–21 edge outdoors. She also defeated Navratilova more times on Evert's own "weakest" surface, grass, than Navratilova did Evert on her own "weakest", clay. Evert led their head-to-head three-set match wins 16–14 but trailed Navratilova 13–22 in indoor encounters, arguably Evert's least-favorite court venue. They were tied 19–19 in non-Grand Slam finals. Once Evert served Navratilova a double bagel (6–0, 6–0) loss, a fate the latter could never reciprocate.

Grand Slam matches

Tournament19751976197719781979198019811982198319841985198619871988
Australian Open N E N E
French OpenE N E E N
Wimbledon E N N E N N N N N
US OpenE N N N

Notes

Head-to-head breakdown

Results on each surface

List of all matches

WTA, Fed Cup, and Grand Slam main draw results included.[7]

Martina Navratilova leads the head-to-head 43–37. Walkovers are not counted as official wins or losses.

Legend
Grand Slam
Tour Championships
Tier I Tournaments
Tier II/III Tournaments
Tier IV/V Tournaments
No. Date Tournament and location Surface Rd Winner Score
1. 1973 Virginia Slims of Akron, U.S. Carpet 1R Evert 7–6(5–1), 6–3
2. 1973 Masters Invitational, U.S. Clay SF Evert 7–5, 6–3
3. 1973 Virginia Slims of California, U.S. Carpet 1R Evert 6–7, 6–3, 6–1
4. 1974 Italian Open, Rome Clay F Evert 6–3, 6–3
5. 1975 Virginia Slims of California, U.S. Carpet (i) SF Evert 6–4, 6–3
6. 1975 Virginia Slims of Washington, U.S. Carpet (i) QF Navratilova 3–6, 6–4, 7–6(7–4)
7. 1975 Virginia Slims of Akron, U.S. Carpet (i) QF Evert 6–3, 6–1
8. 1975 Virginia Slims of Chicago, U.S. Carpet SF Navratilova 6–4, 6–0
9. 1975 Virginia Slims of Philadelphia, U.S. Carpet (i) SF Evert 7–6, 6–4
10. 1975 Virginia Slims Championships, Los Angeles Carpet F Evert 6–4, 6–2
11. 1975 Family Circle Cup, Amelia Island, Florida, U.S. Clay F Evert 7–5, 6–4
12. 1975 Italian Open, Rome Clay F Evert 6–1, 6–0
13. 1975 French Open, Paris Clay F Evert 2–6, 6–2, 6–1
14. 1975 US Open, New York City Clay SF Evert 6–4, 6–4
15. 1975 Atlanta, U.S. Hard (i) F Evert 2–6, 6–2, 6–0
16. 1976 L'Eggs World Series, Austin, Texas, U.S. Hard SF Evert 6–0, 6–3
17. 1976 Virginia Slims of Houston, U.S. Carpet (i) F Navratilova 6–3, 6–4
18. 1976 Wimbledon, London Grass SF Evert 6–3, 4–6, 6–4
19. 1977 Virginia Slims of Washington, U.S. Carpet (i) F Navratilova 6–2, 6–3
20. 1977 Virginia Slims of Seattle, U.S. Carpet F Evert 6–2, 6–4
21. 1977 Virginia Slims of Los Angeles, U.S. Carpet (i) F Evert 6–2, 2–6, 6–1
22. 1977 Virginia Slims of Philadelphia, U.S. Carpet (i) F Evert 6–4, 4–6, 6–3
23. 1977 Tucson, U.S. Hard (i) F Evert 6–3, 7–6
24. 1977 Palm Springs, U.S. Hard F Evert 6–4, 6–1
25. 1978 Lion's Cup, Tokyo, Japan Carpet (i) F Evert 7–5, 6–2
26. 1978 Eastbourne, United Kingdom Grass F Navratilova 6–4, 4–6, 9–7
27. 1978 Wimbledon, London Grass F Navratilova 2–6, 6–4, 7–5
28. 1978 Atlanta, U.S. Carpet F Evert 7–6, 0–6, 6–3
29. 1978 Palm Springs, U.S. Hard F Evert 6–3, 6–3
30. 1979 Virginia Slims of California, U.S. Carpet F Navratilova 7–5, 7–5
31. 1979 Virginia Slims of Los Angeles, U.S. Carpet (i) F Evert 6–3, 6–4
32. 1979 Virginia Slims of Dallas, U.S. Carpet F Navratilova 6–4, 6–4
33. 1979 Eastbourne, United Kingdom Grass F Evert 7–5, 5–7, 13–11
34. 1979 Wimbledon, London Grass F Navratilova 6–4, 6–4
35. 1979 Virginia Slims of Phoenix, U.S. Hard F Navratilova 6–1, 6–3
36. 1979 Brighton, United Kingdom Carpet F Navratilova 6–3, 6–3
37. 1980 Virginia Slims of Chicago, U.S. Carpet F Navratilova 6–4, 6–4
38. 1980 Wimbledon, London Grass SF Evert 4–6, 6–4, 6–2
39. 1980 Brighton, United Kingdom Carpet F Evert 6–4, 5–7, 6–3
40. 1980 Lion's Cup, Tokyo, Japan Carpet SF Navratilova 7–6, 6–2
41. 1981 Amelia Island Championships, U.S. Clay F Evert 6–0, 6–0
42. 1981 US Open, New York City Hard SF Navratilova 7–5, 4–6, 6–4
43. 1981 Lion's Cup, Tokyo, Japan Carpet F Navratilova 6–3, 6–2
44. 1981 Sydney, Australia Grass F Evert 6–4, 2–6, 6–1
45. 1981 Australian Open, Melbourne Grass F Navratilova 6–7, 6–4, 7–5
46. 1982 Wimbledon, London Grass F Navratilova 6–1, 3–6, 6–2
47. 1982 Brighton, United Kingdom Carpet F Navratilova 6–1, 6–4
48. 1982 Australian Open, Melbourne Grass F Evert 6–3, 2–6, 6–3
49. 1982 Toyota Championships, East Rutherford, U.S. Carpet F Navratilova 4–6, 6–1, 6–2
50. 1983 Virginia Slims of Dallas, U.S. Carpet F Navratilova 6–4, 6–0
51. 1983 Virginia Slims Championships, New York City Carpet F Navratilova 6–2, 6–0
52. 1983 Virginia Slims of Los Angeles, U.S. Hard F Navratilova 6–1, 6–3
53. 1983 Canadian Open, Toronto Hard F Navratilova 6–4, 4–6, 6–1
54. 1983 US Open, New York City Hard F Navratilova 6–1, 6–3
55. 1983 Lion's Cup, Tokyo, Japan Indoors F Navratilova 6–2, 6–2
56. 1984 US Indoor Championships, Livingston, U.S. Carpet F Navratilova 6–2, 7–6(7–4)
57. 1984 Virginia Slims Championships, New York City Carpet F Navratilova 6–3, 7–5, 6–1
58. 1984 Amelia Island Championships, U.S. Clay F Navratilova 6–2, 6–0
59. 1984 French Open, Paris Clay F Navratilova 6–3, 6–1
60. 1984 Wimbledon, London Grass F Navratilova 7–6(7–5), 6–2
61. 1984 US Open, New York City Hard F Navratilova 4–6, 6–4, 6–4
62. 1985 Virginia Slims of Florida, U.S. Hard F Evert 6–2, 6–4
63. 1985 Lipton International Players Championships, Key Biscayne, U.S. Hard F Navratilova 6–2, 6–4
64. 1985 Virginia Slims of Dallas, U.S. Carpet F Navratilova 6–3 6–4
65. 1985 French Open, Paris Clay F Evert 6–3, 6–7(4–7), 7–5
66. 1985 Wimbledon, London Grass F Navratilova 4–6, 6–3, 6–2
67. 1985 Australian Open, Melbourne Grass F Navratilova 6–2, 4–6, 6–2
68. 1986 Virginia Slims of Dallas, U.S. Carpet F Navratilova 6–2, 6–1
69. 1986 French Open, Paris Clay F Evert 2–6, 6–3, 6–3
70. 1986 Virginia Slims of Los Angeles, U.S. Hard F Navratilova 7–6(7–5), 6–3
71. 1987 Virginia Slims of Houston, U.S. Clay F Evert 3–6, 6–1, 7–6(7–4)
72. 1987 French Open, Paris Clay SF Navratilova 6–2, 6–2
73. 1987 Wimbledon, London Grass SF Navratilova 6–2, 5–7, 6–4
74. 1987 Virginia Slims of Los Angeles, U.S. Hard SF Evert 6–2, 6–1
75. 1987 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, Filderstadt, Germany Carpet F Navratilova 7–5, 6–1
76. 1988 Australian Open, Melbourne Hard SF Evert 6–2, 7–5
77. 1988 Virginia Slims of Houston, U.S. Clay F Evert 6–0, 6–4
78. 1988 Wimbledon, London Grass SF Navratilova 6–1, 4–6, 7–5
79. 1988 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, Filderstadt, Germany Carpet F Navratilova 6–2, 6–3
80. 1988 Virginia Slims of Chicago, U.S. Carpet F Navratilova 6–2, 6–2

Grand Slam performance timeline comparison

For all players in their era see: Tennis performance timeline comparison (women)

1971–1977

Player 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977
AUS FRA WIM USA AUS FRA WIM USA AUS FRA WIM USA AUS FRA WIM USA AUS FRA WIM USA AUS FRA WIM USA AUSJ FRA WIM USA AUSD
Czechoslovakia Martina Navratilova - - - - - - - - A QF 3R 1R A QF 1R 3R F F QF SF A A SF 1R A A QF SF A
United States Chris Evert A A A SF A A SF SF A F F SF F W W SF A W SF W A A W W A A SF W A

1978–1984

Player 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984
FRA WIM USA AUS FRA WIM USA AUS FRA WIM USA AUS FRA WIM USA AUS FRA WIM USA AUS FRA WIM USA AUS FRA WIM USA AUS
United States Martina Navratilova A W SF A A W SF A A SF 4R SF QF SF F W W W QF F 4R W W W W W W SF
United States Chris Evert A F W A W F F A W F W A SF W SF F SF F W W W 3R F A F F F W

1985–1991

Player 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991
FRA WIM USA AUS FRA WIM USA AUS FRA WIM USA AUS FRA WIM USA AUS FRA WIM USA AUS FRA WIM USA AUS FRA WIM USA
United States Martina Navratilova F W F W F W W F F W W SF 4R F QF QF A F F A A W 4R A A QF F
United States Chris Evert W F SF F W SF SF A SF SF QF F 3R SF SF A A SF QF Retired

1992–2006

Player 1992 1993 1994 1995 to 2003 2004 2005 2006
AUS FRA WIM USA AUS FRA WIM USA AUS FRA WIM USA AUS FRA WIM USA AUS FRA WIM USA AUS FRA WIM USA AUS FRA WIM USA
United States Martina Navratilova A A SF 2R A A SF 4R A 1R F A Retired A 1R 2R A A A A A Retired
United States Chris Evert Retired

WTA Rankings

Year-end ranking timeline

Player1972197319741975197619771978197919801981198219831984198519861987198819891990199119921993199495–032004
Chris Evert 3 3 1 1 1 1 2 2 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 10 [A]
Martina Navratilova 9 3 4 3 1 1 3 3 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 3 4 5 3 8 376

[A] Evert retired in September 1989 after the US Open, at which time she was ranked world No. 4.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Ten great tennis rivalries". The Independent. July 8, 2008. Retrieved 2010-12-08. Chris Evert v Martina Navratilova. Time span: '73-88 (80 matches) Head to head: Navratilova 43 Evert 37. Grand Slam finals: 14; Navratilova won 10. Wimbledon: Five finals; Navratilova won all.
  2. ↑ Knapp, Gwen (June 19, 2005). "Evert vs. Navratilova -- what a rivalry should be". SFGate. Retrieved 2010-12-20. But I miss Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova. None of today's athletes, male or female, can match what these two wrought as adversaries on the court and as friends off it. Nor, for that matter, can anyone from an earlier era.
  3. ↑ "Hingis, Williams Building A Rivalry". Associated Press. May 11, 1998. Retrieved 2010-12-20. Venus vs. Martina is on its way to joining Chris vs. Martina as a rivalry for the ages. Women's tennis is rife with ...
  4. ↑ Johnette Howard (2006). The Rivals: Chris Evert vs. Martina Navratilova, Their Epic Duels and Extraordinary Friendship. A dual portrait of a legendary sports rivalry and friendship follows the careers of tennis greats Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova, from their first match in 1973 through the dramatic changes that occurred in the world of sports and society, including the rise of both the women's and gay rights movement and the fall of the Iron Curtain.
  5. ↑ John Dolan (2011). Women's Tennis 1968–84: the Ultimate Guide. Remous. pp. 536, 546–547.
  6. ↑ "Martina vs Chris". Retrieved 2010-12-20. For 15 years, from March 1973 to November 1988, Martina and Chris fought each other 80 times, a record in individual-sports history. They played 60 finals and 22 times in Grand Slam tournaments (14 finals). The definitive score was 43–37 for Martina.
  7. ↑ "Head 2 Head". www.wtatennis.com. Women's Tennis Association (WTA.}
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