‘I Suppressed Things’- When Chris Evert Opened Up on the Dangers of Bottling Up

Chris Evert led a glorious tennis career and was admired by her fans not only for her game but also for the way she carried herself. However, one thing most of us did not realize was that she was playing to fulfill the fans and other’s expectations, rather than herself. Particularly when she was a teenager, yet to understand and define herself.

She achieved immense fame early in her life, owing to her rise in the tennis realm. In an old interview, the 18-time grand slam champion talked about it and how she dealt with the image that had been set up for her by others.

Chris Evert on being subjected to a set image during her career

Evert came on to the field with determined focus and a strong baseline game. Despite tennis being a sport that brings out the raw emotions in most of the players on the court, she remained composed. Her stoic and unruffled demeanor got her the nickname, ‘Ice Maiden’. She said, “I was labeled at a young age—Miss Unemotional, Miss Cool and that would carry over to my press conferences.” The legend further elaborated on how she still carries this image of not being controversial.

This was something she developed from a young age. Evert said, “Being famous before you’ve formed your personality before you have that self-esteem, is dangerous.”

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She added, “Things obviously built up inside me.” The 18-time grand slam champion opened up about repressing her emotions. She said, “I competed and handled the pressure well—that was my strength. But I suppressed things off the court.”

Evert’s image formed her identity

At a very young age, the 18-time Grand Slam champion was breezing past her opponents with ease in the tennis circuit. However, Evert played by the notion her fans kept of her. She stayed quiet and focused on her game, and that troubled the player and also created problems in her relationships.

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Later on, when she sought therapy to work on getting rid of her ingrained beliefs. Now, she is in a much happier place where she enjoys tennis and stays connected with the sport by being a tennis broadcaster and an analyst.