Evert–Navratilova rivalry

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]

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]^[5]

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).

50 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 French Open final, Navratilova did not venture to challenge Evert on clay again until the spring of 1981 (in the WITA Open), including skipping the French Opens of 1979 and 1980 (which Evert won), whereas 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 and 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 and 9–7 on hardcourts, whereas Evert was up 11–3 on clay to give her a 23–22 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 14–21 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.

List of all matches

WTA, Fed Cup, and Grand Slam main draw results included.^[6]

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

Grand Slam finals

Tournament	1975	1978	1979	1981	1982	1983	1984	1985	1986
Australian Open				N	E			N
French Open	E						N	E	E
Wimbledon		N	N		N		N	N
US Open						N	N

Notes

The Australian Open was held twice in 1977, in January and December.

Head-to-head breakdown

All finals: Navratilova 36–25
Grand Slam finals: Navratilova 10–4
WTA Tour Championships finals: Navratilova 2–1
Non-Grand Slam & Non-WTA Tour Championships finals: Navratilova 24–20
Grand Slam matches: Navratilova 14–8
Grand Slam semifinals: Tied 4–4
Three-set matches: Evert 15–14
Straight-set matches: Navratilova 29–22

Results on each surface

Hard courts: Navratilova 9–8
Clay courts: Evert 11–3
Grass courts: Navratilova 10–5
Carpet courts: Navratilova 21–13

Evert–Navratilova (37–43)

Legend
Grand Slam
Tour Championships
Tier I Tournaments
Tier II/III Tournaments
Tier IV/V Tournaments

No.	Date	Tournament and location	Surface	Round	Winner	Score
1.	1973	Virginia Slims of Akron, U.S.	Carpet	R16	Evert	7–6, 6–3
2.	1973	Masters Invitational, U.S.	Clay	Semifinal	Evert	7–5, 6–3
3.	1973	Virginia Slims of California, U.S.	Carpet	R32	Evert	6–7, 6–3, 6–1
4.	1974	Italian Open, Rome	Clay	Final	Evert	6–3, 6–3
5.	1975	Virginia Slims of California, U.S.	Carpet (i)	Semifinal	Evert	6–4, 6–3
6.	1975	Virginia Slims of Washington, U.S.	Carpet (i)	Quarterfinal	Navratilova	3–6, 6–4, 7–6^(7–4)
7.	1975	Virginia Slims of Akron, U.S.	Carpet (i)	Quarterfinal	Evert	6–3, 6–1
8.	1975	Virginia Slims of Chicago, U.S.	Carpet	Semifinal	Navratilova	6–4, 6–0
9.	1975	Virginia Slims of Philadelphia, U.S.	Carpet (i)	Semifinal	Evert	7–6, 6–4
10.	1975	Virginia Slims Championships, Los Angeles	Carpet	Final	Evert	6–4, 6–2
11.	1975	Family Circle Cup, Amelia Island, Florida, U.S.	Clay	Final	Evert	7–5, 6–4
12.	1975	Italian Open, Rome	Clay	Final	Evert	6–1, 6–0
13.	1975	French Open, Paris	Clay	Final	Evert	2–6, 6–2, 6–1
14.	1975	US Open, New York City	Clay	Semifinal	Evert	6–4, 6–4
15.	1975	Atlanta, U.S.	Hard (i)	Final	Evert	2–6, 6–2, 6–0
16.	1976	L'Eggs World Series, Austin, Texas, U.S.	Hard	Semifinal	Evert	6–0, 6–3
17.	1976	Virginia Slims of Houston, U.S.	Carpet (i)	Final	Navratilova	6–3, 6–4
18.	1976	Wimbledon, London	Grass	Semifinal	Evert	6–3, 4–6, 6–4
19.	1977	Virginia Slims of Washington, U.S.	Carpet (i)	Final	Navratilova	6–2, 6–3
20.	1977	Virginia Slims of Seattle, U.S.	Carpet	Final	Evert	6–2, 6–4
21.	1977	Virginia Slims of Los Angeles, U.S.	Carpet (i)	Final	Evert	6–2, 2–6, 6–1
22.	1977	Virginia Slims of Philadelphia, U.S.	Carpet (i)	Final	Evert	6–4, 4–6, 6–3
23.	1977	Tucson, U.S.	Hard (i)	Final	Evert	6–3, 7–6
24.	1977	Palm Springs, U.S.	Hard	Final	Evert	6–4, 6–1
25.	1978	Lion's Cup, Tokyo, Japan	Carpet (i)	Final	Evert	7–5, 6–2
26.	1978	Eastbourne, United Kingdom	Grass	Final	Navratilova	6–4, 4–6, 9–7
27.	1978	Wimbledon, London	Grass	Final	Navratilova	2–6, 6–4, 7–5
28.	1978	Atlanta, U.S.	Carpet	Final	Evert	7–6, 0–6, 6–3
29.	1978	Palm Springs, U.S.	Hard	Final	Evert	6–3, 6–3
30.	1979	Virginia Slims of California, U.S.	Carpet	Final	Navratilova	7–5, 7–5
31.	1979	Virginia Slims of Los Angeles, U.S.	Carpet (i)	Final	Evert	6–3, 6–4
32.	1979	Virginia Slims of Dallas, U.S.	Carpet	Final	Navratilova	6–4, 6–4
33.	1979	Eastbourne, United Kingdom	Grass	Final	Evert	7–5, 5–7, 13–11
34.	1979	Wimbledon, London	Grass	Final	Navratilova	6–4, 6–4
35.	1979	Virginia Slims of Phoenix, U.S.	Hard	Final	Navratilova	6–1, 6–3
36.	1979	Brighton, United Kingdom	Carpet	Final	Navratilova	6–3, 6–3
37.	1980	Virginia Slims of Chicago, U.S.	Carpet	Final	Navratilova	6–4, 6–4
38.	1980	Wimbledon, London	Grass	Semifinal	Evert	4–6, 6–4, 6–2
39.	1980	Brighton, United Kingdom	Carpet	Final	Evert	6–4, 5–7, 6–3
40.	1980	Lion's Cup, Tokyo, Japan	Carpet	Semifinal	Navratilova	7–6, 6–2
41.	1981	Amelia Island Championships, U.S.	Clay	Final	Evert	6–0, 6–0
42.	1981	US Open, New York City	Hard	Semifinal	Navratilova	7–5, 4–6, 6–4
43.	1981	Lion's Cup, Tokyo, Japan	Carpet	Final	Navratilova	6–3, 6–2
44.	1981	Sydney, Australia	Grass	Final	Evert	6–4, 2–6, 6–1
45.	1981	Australian Open, Melbourne	Grass	Final	Navratilova	6–7, 6–4, 7–5
46.	1982	Wimbledon, London	Grass	Final	Navratilova	6–1, 3–6, 6–2
47.	1982	Brighton, United Kingdom	Carpet	Final	Navratilova	6–1, 6–4
48.	1982	Australian Open, Melbourne	Grass	Final	Evert	6–3, 2–6, 6–3
49.	1982	Toyota Championships, East Rutherford, U.S.	Carpet	Final	Navratilova	4–6, 6–1, 6–2
50.	1983	Virginia Slims of Dallas, U.S.	Carpet	Final	Navratilova	6–4, 6–0
51.	1983	Virginia Slims Championships, New York City	Carpet	Final	Navratilova	6–2, 6–0
52.	1983	Virginia Slims of Los Angeles, U.S.	Hard	Final	Navratilova	6–1, 6–3
53.	1983	Canadian Open, Toronto	Hard	Final	Navratilova	6–4, 4–6, 6–1
54.	1983	US Open, New York City	Hard	Final	Navratilova	6–1, 6–3
55.	1983	Lion's Cup, Tokyo, Japan	Hard	Final	Navratilova	6–2, 6–2
56.	1984	US Indoor Championships, Livingston, U.S.	Carpet	Final	Navratilova	6–2, 7–6^(7–4)
57.	1984	Virginia Slims Championships, New York City	Carpet	Final	Navratilova	6–3, 7–5, 6–1
58.	1984	Amelia Island Championships, U.S.	Clay	Final	Navratilova	6–2, 6–0
59.	1984	French Open, Paris	Clay	Final	Navratilova	6–3, 6–1
60.	1984	Wimbledon, London	Grass	Final	Navratilova	7–6^(7–5), 6–2
61.	1984	US Open, New York City	Hard	Final	Navratilova	4–6, 6–4, 6–4
62.	1985	Virginia Slims of Florida, U.S.	Hard	Final	Evert	6–2, 6–4
63.	1985	Lipton International Players Championships, Key Biscayne, U.S.	Hard	Final	Navratilova	6–2, 6–4
64.	1985	Virginia Slims of Dallas, U.S.	Carpet	Final	Navratilova	6–3 6–4
65.	1985	French Open, Paris	Clay	Final	Evert	6–3, 6–7^(4–7), 7–5
66.	1985	Wimbledon, London	Grass	Final	Navratilova	4–6, 6–3, 6–2
67.	1985	Australian Open, Melbourne	Grass	Final	Navratilova	6–2, 4–6, 6–2
68.	1986	Virginia Slims of Dallas, U.S.	Carpet	Final	Navratilova	6–2, 6–1
69.	1986	French Open, Paris	Clay	Final	Evert	2–6, 6–3, 6–3
70.	1986	Virginia Slims of Los Angeles, U.S.	Hard	Final	Navratilova	7–6^(7–5), 6–3
71.	1987	Virginia Slims of Houston, U.S.	Clay	Final	Evert	3–6, 6–1, 7–6^(7–4)
72.	1987	French Open, Paris	Clay	Semifinal	Navratilova	6–2, 6–2
73.	1987	Wimbledon, London	Grass	Semifinal	Navratilova	6–2, 5–7, 6–4
74.	1987	Virginia Slims of Los Angeles, U.S.	Hard	Semifinal	Evert	6–2, 6–1
75.	1987	Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, Filderstadt, Germany	Carpet	Final	Navratilova	7–5, 6–1
76.	1988	Australian Open, Melbourne	Hard	Semifinal	Evert	6–2, 7–5
77.	1988	Virginia Slims of Houston, U.S.	Clay	Final	Evert	6–0, 6–4
78.	1988	Wimbledon, London	Grass	Semifinal	Navratilova	6–1, 4–6, 7–5
79.	1988	Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, Filderstadt, Germany	Carpet	Final	Navratilova	6–2, 6–3
80.	1988	Virginia Slims of Chicago, U.S.	Carpet	Final	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
Player	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^J	FRA	WIM	USA	AUS^D
Martina Navratilova	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	A	QF	3R	1R	A	QF	1R	3R	F	F	QF	SF	A	A	SF	1R	A	A	QF	SF	A
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

Player	1978				1979				1980				1981				1982				1983				1984
Player	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
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
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
Player	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
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
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
Player	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
Martina Navratilova	A	A	SF	2R	A	A	SF	4R	A	1R	F	A	Retired				A	1R	2R	A	A	A	A	A	Retired
Chris Evert	Retired

WTA Rankings

Year-end ranking timeline

Player	1972	1973	1974	1975	1976	1977	1978	1979	1980	1981	1982	1983	1984	1985	1986	1987	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	95–03	2004
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.

References

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.
↑ 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.
↑ "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 ...
↑ 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.
↑ "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.
↑ "Head 2 Head". www.wtatennis.com. Women's Tennis Association (WTA. }

External links

International Tennis Federation (ITF) Player Head to Head

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