Parents are a significant part of an individual’s life. They often leave imprints that stay intact for decades; and memories that accompany a child to the last breath. Well, it goes for the legends such as Chris Evert as well.

Evert still remembers how her father molded her into what she is today. She, in an interview a year after her father’s demise, shared the memories from her early playing days.

Chris Evert recalls her father’s ways

While speaking about her journey and the up and downs of her personal life, Evert opened up about her strict and conservative father Jimmy Evert. She said, “We talked every day, right up until his death. He was very proud of me, but quietly so. He made sure I never got too big for my britches.”

Thereafter, she confessed, “Even after I won Wimbledon, I still had to fold the laundry and load the dishwasher at home. My family kept me humble.” 

“He worked as a tennis coach until he was 75 and, even though I made millions, he never lived off my money like some people on the circuit these days.” She added. Jimmy himself was a tennis player and competed in events before enlisting in the United States Army. He had two US age group trophies under his name.

Read more: ‘We Kind of Broke Apart’ – Chris Evert Once Recounted How Competitive Spirit Diluted Her Friendship With Martina Navratilova

He passed away at the age of 91 after giving high-caliber players such as the 18 times Grand Slam champion Chris Evert and the former World no.1 Jennifer Capriati to tennis.

Evert’s biggest rival

The Hall of Famer brought was among the first few players who brought fans’ attention to women’s tennis. She, alongside her rival Martina Navratilova, proved that women’s tennis is as competitive and skillful as men’s. Their rivalry is still considered one of the best of all time.

Watch this story: When Martina Navratilova destroyed a Twitter user over comments on Beyonce

Both the former world no.1s have locked horns for a total of 80 times, out of which the Navratilova has a lead of 43-37. By the end of Evert’s career, they both had surfaces on which they were invincible. While the nine times Wimbledon champion ruled the grass and hard courts, Evert made it impossible for others to win the Grand Slam of red dirt. She ended her career with seven French Open titles under her name.