Chris Evert evidently has a graceful tennis legacy. In a career lasting close to two decades, the American player touched the highest peaks of the game with utmost grace. However, despite having success on the tennis court, she had a hard time replicating the same in her personal life, having three failed marriages.

Her first marriage dates back to 1979, to former British player John Lloyd. With the marriage lasting 8 years, Lloyd now lives in Florida, close to the former American president, Donald Trump’s palm-beach home, Mar-a-Lago. During a recent conversation with a renowned media house, Lloyd recalled his first meeting with Donald Trump.

John Lloyd’s first meeting with Donald Trump

Shifting to a new place, it goes without saying that one meets and greets new neighbors. Similar was the case with Lloyd. Despite not being as successful as his ex-wife Chris Evert statistically, Lloyd did have decent prominence in the tennis world. The proof of it was his first meeting with Trump.

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Meeting Lloyd for the first time, Trump reportedly addressed him as, “The great John Lloyd, winner of three grand slam titles.” 

Going through his career stats of Lloyd, one can see that his career best in Wimbledon singles is the third round. However, he is a two-time Wimbledon mixed doubles champion. Additionally, his career-best at the French Open singles is the quarterfinals in 1986. However, he won the mixed doubles French Open title in 1982.

Having not won even one Grand Slam singles title, the compliment from Donald Trump came nothing short of a celebration for Lloyd, who was left flattered. However, this wasn’t all. Living close to Trump’s retreat had much more in the bag than just praise from the former president.

The deal between Lloyd and Trump

Living close to Mar-a-Lago, Lloyd also has a business partnership with Donald Trump. Going ahead in the conversation with the media house, Lloyd further gave a detailed account of the deal. “I had a chat with Trump three days ago,” he started. “A few months ago, an ex-tennis pro who plays golf with Trump a couple of times a week, asked me: ‘What do you think about giving some tennis lessons at Mar-a-Lago?’ He has got four clay courts there now, but it’s $400,000 (£318,000) a year to be a member.”

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According to ATP, Lloyd made a total of $598,092 during his career. Going ahead in the conversation, he said, “I replied I wouldn’t mind doing a bit. Sure enough, my friend calls and announces, ‘Someone wants to speak to you. The former president says, ‘John, great idea. You can be the celebrity coach. So, here’s the deal. Why don’t you charge 500 bucks an hour and I’ll take 250.”