Evert–Navratilova rivalry

The Evert–Navratilova rivalry was a tennis rivalry in the 1970s and 1980s between Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova, widely regarded as two of the greatest tennis players of all time. It is considered to be one of the greatest rivalries in tennis history and sports in general.[1][2][3][4][5] The pair contested 80 matches between 1973 and 1988 (60 of which were finals), with Navratilova leading the overall head-to-head 43–37 and 36–24 in finals. It is the most prolific tennis rivalry of the Open Era.

Chris Evert
Martina Navratilova
Chris Evert (left) and Martina Navratilova (right) each won 18 major singles titles.

In the 12 years from the introduction of the WTA rankings in November 1975 until August 1987, one of the two held the top spot in all but 23 weeks. More specifically, in the first 615 weeks of the WTA rankings they collectively held the No. 1 ranking for 592 weeks, Navratilova at 332 weeks and Evert at 260 weeks.[1][6][7] Such was their dominance over other players, that for the period 1977–1987 when the two rivals were first ranked world No. 1 and No. 2 (and generally the top two players for the entire ten year period), only three times did any other player beat them both back-to-back in the same tournament: Evonne Goolagong Cawley at the 1978 Virginia Slims of Boston, Tracy Austin at the 1979 US Open, and Hana Mandlíková at the 1985 US Open.[8] From the 1981 Australian Open to the 1985 Wimbledon Championships, the duo won a record 15 consecutive major singles titles. From the 1981 Wimbledon Championships to the 1988 Australian Open, they won 22 of 27 major singles titles, and at least one of them appeared in each of those 27 finals. (The five defeats in those 27 finals were Navratilova losing to Austin at the 1981 US Open, to Mandlíková at the 1985 US Open and 1987 Australian Open, and to Steffi Graf at the 1987 French Open; Evert lost to Graf in the 1988 Australian Open final.)

Evert and Navratilova encountered each other most often on the faster court surfaces (grass and indoors), where Navratilova's offensive serve-and-volley style of play gave her the upper hand over Evert's counter-attacking baseline approach. Evert enjoyed more success in the rivalry on hard courts and especially on clay courts. Navratilova led Evert 10–5 on grass, 9–7 on outdoor hard courts, and 21–14 on indoor courts, but Evert led 11–3 on clay courts. Evert led their head-to-head in three-set match wins 15–14, but Navratilova led 29–22 in straight-set encounters. Navratilova was most dominant in encounters in majors, leading 14–8 overall and 10–4 in finals. Evert led their head-to-head for each of the first six years of their rivalry (1973–78), whereas Navratilova had the upper hand for each year in the rest of their rivalry (1979, 1981–88).

Following their retirements, they became close friends.[9]

Grand Slam matches
  • Final matches indicated in bold.
Tournament19751976197719781979198019811982198319841985198619871988
French OpenENEEN
WimbledonENNENNNNN
US OpenENNN
Australian OpenNENE

Famous matches

1978 Wimbledon final

Navratilova won their 26th match in the final of the 1978 Wimbledon Championships. Evert had won the first set, and was cruising in the second, until Navratilova rallied back and won the match in three-sets. The third set was classic combination of a see-saw battle and a contrast in styles between the two players.[10] Navratilova won 12 of the last 13 points for the title, winning the third set 7–5. It is considered to be one of the best women's finals in Wimbledon history.[11]

1981 Australian Open final

In their 45th match, Evert and Navratilova played a three-set epic at the final of the 1981 Australian Open. In his book, tennis historian Steve Flink ranks it as one of their two most significant matches, alongside the 1985 French Open final.[12] Navratilova won the match despite dropping the opening set, winning the final set 7–5. Evert considered the match to be one of her toughest losses.[13] The tournament was played on grass.

1984 US Open final

In their 61st match, Navratilova won in three-sets at the 1984 US Open final. Navratilova was on a 54-match winning streak coming into the match, one shy of Evert's then Open Era record 55-match winning streak, she would eventually extend the record to 74 matches won in a row, a record that still stands.[14] Navratilova dropped the first set, yet rallied to win the next two to win the US Open. It is considered to be one of their best matches,[15] and one of the best matches in US Open history.[16] Evert is quoted as saying about the impact of that loss that "It was the most devastated I've ever felt over a tennis match."[16]

1982 Australian Open final

In a rematch of the previous year's final, Evert beat Navratilova in three sets. It was a straightforward match, with Evert claiming the first set 6–3, Navratilova the second set 6–2, and Evert finally winning with a third set score of 6–3. With her win, Evert achieved the Career Grand Slam.[17] Like the previous year's final, the match was played on grass instead of hardcourt.

1985 French Open final

In their 65th match, Evert and Navratilova played a three-set epic at the final of the 1985 French Open. It was a rematch of the previous year's final at the 1984 French Open. With the win, Evert reclaimed the No.1 ranking from Navratilova. Evert won the first set 6–3, before Navratilova rallied from down 2–4, 0–40 in the second set to force a third. In the deciding set, Evert let a 5–3 lead slip away, before eventually winning the third set 7–5. It is considered to be one of the greatest women's Grand Slam finals in history.[18][19] Evert considers it her favorite win over Navratilova, as she was the underdog and Navratilova had recently strung together a great number of wins against Evert.[20] It is one of the two matches that tennis historian Steve Flink considers the most significant in their rivalry, alongside the 1981 Australian Open final.[12]

Head-to-head breakdown
  • All matches: (80) Navratilova 43–37
  • All finals: (60) Navratilova 36–24
  • Grand Slam matches: Navratilova 14–8
  • Grand Slam finals: Navratilova 10–4
  • Grand Slam semifinals: Tied 4–4
  • WTA Tour Championships finals: Navratilova 2–1
  • Non-Grand Slam & Non-WTA Tour Championships finals: Navratilova 24–20
  • Three-set matches: Evert 15–14
  • Straight-set matches: Navratilova 29–22

Results on each surface
Hard CourtClayGrassCarpetTotal
Evert Navratilova Evert Navratilova Evert Navratilova Evert Navratilova Evert Navratilova
Australian Open 1 0 1 2 2 2
French Open 3 2 3 2
Wimbledon 2 7 2 7
US Open 0 3 1 0 1 3
Virginia Slims Championships 1 2 1 2
Toyota Championships 2 0 0 1 2 1
Amelia Island 1 1 1 1
WTA Atlanta 1 0 1 0 2 0
Brighton International 1 2 1 2
Canadian Open 0 1 0 1
Eastbourne International 1 1 1 1
Charleston Open 1 0 1 0
Italian Open 2 0 2 0
L'Eggs World Series 2 0 2 0
Lion's Cup 1 3 1 3
Miami Open 0 1 0 1
Eckerd Open 1 0 1 0
Stuttgart Open 0 2 0 2
Sydney International 1 0 1 0
US Indoors 0 1 0 1
Virginia Slims of Akron 2 0 2 0
Virginia Slims of California 2 1 2 1
Virginia Slims of Chicago 0 3 0 3
Virginia Slims of Dallas 0 4 0 4
Virginia Slims of Florida 1 0 1 0
Virginia Slims of Houston 2 0 0 1 2 1
Virginia Slims of Los Angeles 1 2 2 0 3 2
Virginia Slims of Philadelphia 2 0 2 0
Virginia Slims of Phoenix 0 1 0 1
Virginia Slims of Seattle 1 0 1 0
Virginia Slims of Washington 0 2 0 2
Total 8 8 11 3 5 10 13 22 37 43

List of all matches

WTA, Fed Cup, and Grand Slam main draw results included.[21]

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

Legend Evert Navratilova
Grand Slam 8 14
Virginia Slims Championships 1 2
Toyota Championships 2 1
Tour Events 26 26
Total 37 43

Singles: 80

Evert 37 – Navratilova 43

No. Year Tournament Surface Round Winner Score Evert Navratilova
1. 1973 Virginia Slims of Akron Carpet Round of 16 Evert 7–6(5–4), 6–3 1 0
2. 1973 Eckerd Open Clay Semifinals Evert 7–5, 6–3 2 0
3. 1974 Virginia Slims of California Carpet Round of 32 Evert 6–7, 6–3, 6–1 3 0
4. 1974 Italian Open Clay Final Evert 6–3, 6–3 4 0
5. 1975 Virginia Slims of California Carpet Semifinals Evert 6–4, 6–3 5 0
6. 1975 Virginia Slims of Washington Carpet Quarterfinals Navratilova 3–6, 6–4, 7–6(5–4) 5 1
7. 1975 Virginia Slims of Akron Carpet Quarterfinals Evert 6–3, 6–1 6 1
8. 1975 Virginia Slims of Chicago Carpet Semifinals Navratilova 6–4, 6–0 6 2
9. 1975 Virginia Slims of Philadelphia Carpet Semifinals Evert 7–6, 6–4 7 2
10. 1975 Virginia Slims Championships Carpet Final Evert 6–4, 6–2 8 2
11. 1975 Charleston Open Clay Final Evert 7–5, 6–4 9 2
12. 1975 Italian Open Clay Final Evert 6–1, 6–0 10 2
13. 1975 Roland Garros Clay Final Evert 2–6, 6–2, 6–1 11 2
14. 1975 US Open Clay Semifinals Evert 6–4, 6–4 12 2
15. 1975 WTA Atlanta Hard (i) Final Evert 2–6, 6–2, 6–0 13 2
16. 1976 L'Eggs World Series Hard Semifinals Evert 6–0, 6–3 14 2
17. 1976 Virginia Slims of Houston Carpet Final Navratilova 6–3, 6–4 14 3
18. 1976 Wimbledon Grass Semifinals Evert 6–3, 4–6, 6–4 15 3
19. 1977 Virginia Slims of Washington Carpet Final Navratilova 6–2, 6–3 15 4
20. 1977 Virginia Slims of Seattle Carpet Final Evert 6–2, 6–4 16 4
21. 1977 Virginia Slims of Los Angeles Carpet Final Evert 6–2, 2–6, 6–1 17 4
22. 1977 Virginia Slims of Philadelphia Carpet Final Evert 6–4, 4–6, 6–3 18 4
23. 1977 L'Eggs World Series Hard (i) Final Evert 6–3, 7–6(5–3) 19 4
24. 1977 Toyota Championships Hard Round of 32 Evert 6–4, 6–1 20 4
25. 1978 Eastbourne International Grass Final Navratilova 6–4, 4–6, 9–7 20 5
26. 1978 Wimbledon Grass Final Navratilova 2–6, 6–4, 7–5 20 6
27. 1978 WTA Atlanta Carpet Final Evert 7–6(7–3), 0–6, 6–3 21 6
28. 1978 Toyota Championships Hard Final Evert 6–3, 6–3 22 6
29. 1978 Lion's Cup Carpet Final Evert 7–5, 6–2 23 6
30. 1979 Virginia Slims of California Carpet Final Navratilova 7–5, 7–5 23 7
31. 1979 Virginia Slims of Los Angeles Carpet Final Evert 6–3, 6–4 24 7
32. 1979 Virginia Slims of Dallas Carpet Final Navratilova 6–4, 6–4 24 8
33. 1979 Eastbourne International Grass Final Evert 7–5, 5–7, 13–11 25 8
34. 1979 Wimbledon Grass Final Navratilova 6–4, 6–4 25 9
35. 1979 Virginia Slims of Phoenix Hard Final Navratilova 6–1, 6–3 25 10
36. 1979 Brighton International Carpet Final Navratilova 6–3, 6–3 25 11
37. 1980 Virginia Slims of Chicago Carpet Final Navratilova 6–4, 6–4 25 12
38. 1980 Wimbledon Grass Semifinals Evert 4–6, 6–4, 6–2 26 12
39. 1980 Brighton International Carpet Final Evert 6–4, 5–7, 6–3 27 12
40. 1980 Lion's Cup Carpet Semifinals Navratilova 7–6, 6–2 27 13
41. 1981 Amelia Island Championships Clay Final Evert 6–0, 6–0 28 13
42. 1981 US Open Hard Semifinals Navratilova 7–5, 4–6, 6–4 28 14
43. 1981 Lion's Cup Carpet Final Navratilova 6–3, 6–2 28 15
44. 1981 Sydney International Grass Final Evert 6–4, 2–6, 6–1 29 15
45. 1981 Australian Open Grass Final Navratilova 6–7(4–7), 6–4, 7–5 29 16
46. 1982 Wimbledon Grass Final Navratilova 6–1, 3–6, 6–2 29 17
47. 1982 Brighton International Carpet Final Navratilova 6–1, 6–4 29 18
48. 1982 Australian Open Grass Final Evert 6–3, 2–6, 6–3 30 18
49. 1982 Toyota Championships Carpet Final Navratilova 4–6, 6–1, 6–2 30 19
50. 1983 Virginia Slims of Dallas Carpet Final Navratilova 6–4, 6–0 30 20
51. 1983 Virginia Slims Championships Carpet Final Navratilova 6–2, 6–0 30 21
52. 1983 Virginia Slims of Los Angeles Hard Final Navratilova 6–1, 6–3 30 22
53. 1983 Canadian Open Hard Final Navratilova 6–4, 4–6, 6–1 30 23
54. 1983 US Open Hard Final Navratilova 6–1, 6–3 30 24
55. 1983 Lion's Cup Carpet Final Navratilova 6–2, 6–2 30 25
56. 1984 US Indoor Championships Carpet Final Navratilova 6–2, 7–6(7–4) 30 26
57. 1984 Virginia Slims Championships Carpet Final Navratilova 6–3, 7–5, 6–1 30 27
58. 1984 Amelia Island Championships Clay Final Navratilova 6–2, 6–0 30 28
59. 1984 Roland Garros Clay Final Navratilova 6–3, 6–1 30 29
60. 1984 Wimbledon Grass Final Navratilova 7–6(7–5), 6–2 30 30
61. 1984 US Open Hard Final Navratilova 4–6, 6–4, 6–4 30 31
62. 1985 Virginia Slims of Florida Hard Final Evert 6–2, 6–4 31 31
63. 1985 Miami Open Hard Final Navratilova 6–2, 6–4 31 32
64. 1985 Virginia Slims of Dallas Carpet Final Navratilova 6–3, 6–4 31 33
65. 1985 Roland Garros Clay Final Evert 6–3, 6–7(4–7), 7–5 32 33
66. 1985 Wimbledon Grass Final Navratilova 4–6, 6–3, 6–2 32 34
67. 1985 Australian Open Grass Final Navratilova 6–2, 4–6, 6–2 32 35
68. 1986 Virginia Slims of Dallas Carpet Final Navratilova 6–2, 6–1 32 36
69. 1986 Roland Garros Clay Final Evert 2–6, 6–3, 6–3 33 36
70. 1986 Virginia Slims of Los Angeles Hard Final Navratilova 7–6(7–5), 6–3 33 37
71. 1987 Virginia Slims of Houston Clay Final Evert 3–6, 6–1, 7–6(7–4) 34 37
72. 1987 Roland Garros Clay Semifinals Navratilova 6–2, 6–2 34 38
73. 1987 Wimbledon Grass Semifinals Navratilova 6–2, 5–7, 6–4 34 39
74. 1987 Virginia Slims of Los Angeles Hard Semifinals Evert 6–2, 6–1 35 39
75. 1987 Stuttgart Open Carpet Final Navratilova 7–5, 6–1 35 40
76. 1988 Australian Open Hard Semifinals Evert 6–2, 7–5 36 40
77. 1988 Virginia Slims of Houston Clay Final Evert 6–0, 6–4 37 40
78. 1988 Wimbledon Grass Semifinals Navratilova 6–1, 4–6, 7–5 37 41
79. 1988 Stuttgart Open Carpet Final Navratilova 6–2, 6–3 37 42
80. 1988 Virginia Slims of Chicago Carpet Final Navratilova 6–2, 6–2 37 43

Grand Slam performance timeline comparison

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

1971–1977
Player1971197219731974197519761977
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
  • The Australian Open was held twice in 1977, in January (J) and December (D).

1978–1984
Player1978197919801981198219831984
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
Player1985198619871988198919901991
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
Player1992199319941995 to 2003200420052006
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[upper-alpha 1]
Martina Navratilova 9 3 4 3 1 1 3 3 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 3 4 5 3 8 376
  1. Evert retired in September 1989 after the US Open, at which time she was ranked world No. 4.

See also

References
  1. "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 players brought 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. "Career record of Martina Navratilova vs. Chris Evert Lloyd..." UPI. June 5, 1986.
  7. Danielle Rossingh (August 26, 2018). "The late '70s ushered in a new women's tennis rivalry: Chrissie vs. Martina". The New York Times.
  8. Howard, Johnette. The Rivals : Chris Evert Vs. Martina Navratilova - Their Rivalry, Their Friendship, Their Legacy. Vintage U K. (May 31, 2005) ISBN 978-0224075053
  9. Jenkins, Sally. "Bitter rivals. Beloved friends. Survivors". Washington Post. Retrieved 2023-09-06.
  10. Tignor, Steve (2018-07-22). "Top 10 Wimbledon Memories, No. 3: Navratilova d. Evert, 1978 final". Tennis.com. Retrieved 2023-08-27.
  11. Monika (2015-06-30). "Top 5 Women's singles Wimbledon finals ever". www.sportskeeda.com. Retrieved 2023-08-27.
  12. Curtis, Jake (2014-01-21). "Ranking the 10 Greatest Australian Open Finals of All Time". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 2023-08-27.
  13. Shah, Vatsal (2022-08-03). "'She Was Really Depressed' - Martina Navratilova Once Proved Her Great Rival Chris Evert Was Also Her Dear Friend With an Extraordinary Gesture". EssentiallySports. Retrieved 2023-08-27.
  14. "Top 10: Longest WTA winning runs". Women's Tennis Association. 2020-05-15. Retrieved 2023-08-27.
  15. Kaplan, James (2014-08-20). "A U.S. Open to Remember: Navratilova and Evert Look Back". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-08-27.
  16. Curtis, Jake (2013-08-31). "Ranking the 10 Greatest Matches in US Open Tennis History". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 2023-08-27.
  17. Berkok, John (2022-12-05). "On This Day, 1982: Chris Evert completes her Career Slam at the Australian Open". Tennis.com. Retrieved 2023-08-28.
  18. Curtis, Jake (2014-05-28). "The 10 Most Memorable Matches in French Open History". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 2023-08-27.
  19. Tignor, Steve (2018-05-24). "French Open Memories, #3: Chris Evert d. Martina Navratilova, 1985". Tennis.com. Retrieved 2023-08-27.
  20. Cambers, Simon (2021-04-26). "Chris Evert My best and worst matches with Martina". Tennis Majors. Retrieved 2023-08-27.
  21. "Head 2 Head". www.wtatennis.com. Women's Tennis Association (WTA. Archived from the original on 2016-05-05.)
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