‘Hardly Any Top Player Went to Australia’ – Chris Evert Brushes Aside Margaret Court’s Record as She Details Crucial Fight for Equality on the WTA Tour

Chris Evert is one of those who, through her fabulous records, brought recognition to women’s tennis at a very nascent stage of the WTA. She, alongside Billie Jean King and Martina Navratilova, proved the worth of their gender in the sport. Further, the American voiced her thoughts bravely and inspired many.

However, now the professionals who are enjoying the privileges Evert’s generation brought are regarded to be better. To counter this, the 18-time Grand Slam champion recently gave a well-reasoned theory.

Chris Evert about the difference in priorities

Evert, while speaking to the media after Serena Williams’ retirement announcement, stumbled upon the question of who should hold the title of the greatest player ever. To which, taking Margaret Court’s example, the all time record holder of Grand Slam victories, she responded. “She won 11 Australian Open, but hardly any top players went to Australia then. I played 18 years and only six Australian Opens.”

Thereafter, Evert explained, “I played World Team Tennis [when the leading women forged a path of independence to gain equality with men] and missed three French Open. We were creating a tour and changing history, fighting for equal prize money and future generations.”

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Speaking about French Open records, Evert claimed seven Grand Slam trophies in Paris. Further, she defended her title twice in 1975 and 1986. Therefore, one can say that if the veteran were not to take active participation in solving the issues in the sport, she would have had many more major titles.

Evert’s greatest rival

Another reason why Evert’s records don’t do justice to her potential was Martina Navratilova. The Czech-American posed the biggest threat to the 67-year-old during her playing days. Navratilova, who lost 16 out of the first 20 clashes between the pair, gained the upper-hand in the latter stages of their rivalry, except on clay.

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The nine-time Wimbledon champion asserted her dominance on grass and hard courts. At the end of Evert’s career, Navratilova not only leveled the head-to-head record but also ended up with a lead of 43-37.