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NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 12: Former professional tennis player Chris Evert hosts a private tennis clinic for Starwood Preferred Guest during the 2015 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 12, 2015 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images for SPG)
Getty
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 12: Former professional tennis player Chris Evert hosts a private tennis clinic for Starwood Preferred Guest during the 2015 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 12, 2015 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images for SPG)
Chris Evert has been an inspiration for many tennis enthusiasts and players. One such player is the quarter-finalist in the ongoing grass-court major, Ajla Tomljanovic.
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Chris Evert established herself as one of the most celebrated tennis players in the world during her storied career. Despite her legendary status, she continues to guide young players and motivate them to be better versions of themselves.
Chris Evert’s constant support to Ajla Tomljanovic during the Wimbledon Championships
Ajla Tomljanovic defeated Alize Cornet in the fourth round of Wimbledon to advance to the quarter-finals. After the match, she credited Chris Evert for motivating her throughout the entire process.
Imago
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 12: Chris Evert attends day ten of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 12, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage )
She said, “She texted me before the match that she believes in me & that I need to believe I belong here. It’s surreal. Chris Evert is calling me after I made the 1/4s. To me, she’s just Chrissie. I’m v blessed to have her.”
Evert was there for Tomljanovic despite her own issues
The Australian player also talked about the constant support she received from Evert this year. She said, “I kind of felt at one point bad. She was going through something. I remember one time telling her, Oh, my gosh, I don’t want to bother you with my problems because you’re doing something way harder. She’s like, No, no, I love, in a way, the distraction. We love each other, so we were there for each other in that way.”
Chris Evert had been diagnosed with stage 1C Ovarian cancer and she recently went through her last chemotherapy session. In these tough times, the bonding between the two players has helped them be there for each other.
Reuters
Tennis – Australian Open – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia, February 10, 2021 Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic in action during her second round match against Romania’s Simona Halep REUTERS/Kelly Defina
After her win against Cornet, the current world no.44, will now face Elena Rybakina in the quarter-finals. This is the player’s second quarter-final appearance at Wimbledon.
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Do you think Tomljanovic can make it to her first Grand Slam final at the ongoing Wimbledon Championships? Let us know in the comments.
Written by
Edited by
Tony Thomas