American tennis legend Chris Evert is among the all-time best athletes in the world. Evert retired from tennis in 1989. She sat down for an interview in 1997 and spoke about the challenges of playing tennis in her forties. She also spoke about how she feels better after retirement.

The 67-year-old was an unstoppable force during her heyday, with only a few who could challenge her for the top honors. Later, with the emergence of Martina Navratilova, we saw arguably the world’s greatest tennis rivalry.

Chris Evert on how she felt better after retirement and the competitiveness of Navratilova and others

The decision to retire is always tough for an athlete. There’s always a part of them that wants to continue forever. However, the tough decision needs to be made looking at the body and health. Evert also made that decision in 1989. According to the former world number 1, she was still willing to play. However, in her forties, she needed to put in extra effort as her rivals, like Navratilova and Shriver, were on the top of their games.

Here’s what Evert said about feeling better after retirement. “I like the way I am now better than when I was competing. It’s funny. Sometimes when I’m out there playing in these events, I don’t like the emotions that surface. The competitiveness comes back again because Martina and Pam Shriver and Zina (Garrison Jackson) are still great players, and I feel my level of play has to go up,” Evert said.

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She further added, “I was kind of cruising along, and it was fun for me. But now, it has gotten so competitive. It’s good for Virginia Slims, but shoot, I’m 42 years old. Now I have to go out and practice more. And I still don’t like when I don’t play well. I thought motherhood would change that.”

Evert on handling pressure

In the same interview, Chris Evert also revealed the darker side of sports. Because of the competitive nature, it brings in a lot of pressure. Recalling her early tennis days, the 18-time Grand Slam champion said that it was tough for her to cope with the pressure in her junior tennis days.

While she got a way to deal with it, she was conscious of it as a mother. Speaking about her son Alex, who used to do Karate, she said that as a mother she would support him.

WATCH THIS STORY – Chris Evert looks back at her astounding rivalry with Martina Navratilova and the negative impact of her 13-match losing streak

However, when he was five and his teacher wanted him to play in a tournament, Evert refused. The simple reason is her own experience of handling the pressure of a tournament at a very young age.