Martina Navratilova faced a lot of atrocities during her playing days. The people of America did not accept her at first. Her image was more of a complainer than a grateful immigrant in her early days. Further, talking about the sport, her muscular build often brought her under the microscope.

Navratilova, who was an outsider to the US fans, received an awful lot of bashing as soon as she started posing as a potent contender to Chris Evert. However, with time, the situation changed and people started accepting her. Later, she herself pointed out the same.

Martina Navratilova talks about the shift

Navratilova in a 1994 interview opened up about certain improvements regarding how she was viewed. She spoke about the changes, especially in relation to her greatest rival, Chris Evert. And said, “I think the perception of the All-American woman has changed over the years. Chris was the epitome of it in the 1960s and ‘70s, but in the ‘80s it started changing.”

“Sure, she’s still the same great person. But it’s more accepted to be outspoken, to be a feminist, to have a muscular body, and your goal in life is not to be a housewife anymore. It’s to do something with your life, and I fit that mold a lot more than Chris does,” she added.

The 18-time Grand Slam champions, regardless of almost equal caliber, received different treatment. While Evert bathed in a shower of praises as her petite and feminine self harbored such great potential. Navratilova became a target of arguments accusing her of having an unfair advantage due to her heavy build. Also, her being a lesbian touched the temper of some.

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Further, she expressed, “Had I been born 20 years later, I would have been accepted much more than I have. I’ve stayed the same, but they have accepted me because attitudes have changed.”  

Similarities in Evert and Navratilova

Although the duo executed one of the best rivalries, their career and personal life have some similarities. Both the tennis aces have records that have and will remain untouched for decades.

For example, the nine times Wimbledon Champion Navratilova has over 100 wins on the grass courts of London. No active player in WTA has touched the milestone. Only Serena Williams, who is retiring this season, was close to the record having 98 wins on the greens.

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Speaking of Evert’s record, her 100 wins are marked on the hard courts of the US Open. Further, in the case of personal life, they both take active participation in charity work. The former world No.1s fund many social causes and voice their thoughts on matters that concern the betterment of society.