In the 70s and 80s, tennis was blossoming, with Chris Evert and her ex-husband John Lloyd as two of its brightest stars. Evert dominated the sport, finishing her career with an impressive 18 Grand Slam titles over 19 seasons. Although Lloyd never won a Grand Slam singles title, he was a celebrated figure in Great Britain, known for his achievements on the court. After retiring, he transitioned to a successful career as a commentator for the BBC and Sky Sports. Their shared experiences in tennis and marriage certainly deserve to be told.

In 1987, Lloyd and Evert separated, but their stories remained intertwined. In his autobiography, Dear John, published in May 2022, Lloyd reflects through letters to himself on various themes, including education and the pressures of Wimbledon. He recalls a pivotal moment from the 1981 Wimbledon match when Evert met Princess Diana for the first time, just after her engagement to Prince Charles. He noted that “no one in the world commanded more attention” than Diana. In an unexpected turn, the princess invited them to meet her, but he felt a growing sense of “worry” as they waited.

“Americans love the royal family but don’t necessarily understand the traditions and protocol attached to meeting them. People from the States are very open and more likely to be on the front foot than take a backward step,” he added. Emphasizing the cultural divide between Americans and Brits regarding royal protocol. He describes how Americans might casually greet Diana with something like, “Hey, Diana, how ya doin’?” while Brits would adhere to a more formal approach.

He humorously illustrates this by saying their mindset is more like, “‘Better not talk until I’m spoken to, must remember to bow or curtsey, doff my cap, make sure there’s no spinach in my teeth.’” However, despite his anxieties about meeting the Princess of Wales, Evert appeared composed and confident. While Lloyd’s narrative is filled with worry, Evert’s recounting of the encounter reflects her grace under pressure. Their differing perspectives on this royal meeting highlight the contrasting ways they navigated their lives in the spotlight.

Chris Evert’s narration of meeting Princess Diana for the first time

In the 80s, Chris Evert captured the Venus Rosewater trophy three times and was a runner-up seven times. Her success on the court led to memorable encounters with Princess Diana, the first during the 1981 Wimbledon Championships, as recounted by John Lloyd in his book. Evert shared her experience on the Midnight Meets with Colin Murray podcast in May 2021, revealing that they enjoyed tea together. “You could tell that she loved tennis and loved tennis players,” Evert fondly recalled, highlighting Diana’s genuine affection for the sport.

Additionally, she expressed curiosity about Prince Charles’s interest in tennis, asking Diana if he attended matches at Wimbledon. Diana rolled her eyes and replied, “Uh, no. He hates tennis, doesn’t like it at all; he’s somewhere else.” This light-hearted exchange showcased Diana’s candid nature. Evert reminisced about seeing photos of Diana with her racquet in hand, trying to sneak in a game at a London club. She described Diana as “very shy, soft-spoken to very friendly and almost vivacious,” highlighting the different facets of the princess’s personality during their meetings.

Though both Evert and John Lloyd have moved on from their marriage and faced personal challenges—Evert battling ovarian cancer since 2021—their stories continue to resonate today. Lloyd has found his voice as a commentator, while Evert remains an influential figure in tennis commentary. Their experiences with Princess Diana reflect not only their legendary careers but also the enduring impact of their lives in the public eye. What are your thoughts on this fascinating intersection of sports and royalty? Share your comments below!