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“My Dad Didn’t Have To Spend a Cent” – Chris Evert on Handling Tennis Expenses While Growing Up

Published 08/23/2022, 6:30 AM EDT

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Chris Evert’s outstanding tennis career is accompanied by an intriguing backstory. In a recent interview, she addressed how her father taught her to play while stressing how her on-court exploits helped her to be financially independent.

Evert was raised in a tennis-playing household, and her father was a well-known tennis player. She also took tennis lessons from him from a very young age, just like all of her siblings.

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Chris Evert recounts how she and her siblings got into tennis

Evert, initially polished her tennis skills by making use of Florida’s public courts. All five of her siblings were taught how to play tennis by her father, Jimmy Evert, who served as the head pro at Holiday Park in Fort Lauderdale. Evert opened up about her initial training days with her siblings.

via Getty

During an interview, the 67-year-old opened up, “My sister Jeanne and I were professional tennis players, and the other three got college scholarships and played number one for their colleges. And so, my dad didn’t have to, you know, he didn’t have to spend a cent.” They were able to fulfill their dreams without worrying about money, thanks to their passion and commitment to the sport.

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When further asked about what made her different from others. She said, “I think the hunger that I had, I think, inside, I wanted it more than anybody.” The atmosphere Evert’s father built at Holiday Park was a big part of her success.

Chris Evert’s inspirational tennis Career

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Evert, the International Tennis Hall of Famer, is an inspiration, whether it’s via her work with the USTA Foundation or her valiant battle against ovarian cancer.

Due to her accomplishments over the course of her lengthy career, the 67-year-old was given the Stuart Scott ENSPIRE Award. She was a former World No. 1 and an 18-time Grand Slam singles champion. 

The International Tennis Hall of Famer has kept setting the standard even after her playing days were over. Through her Evert Tennis Academy and her position as chairperson of the USTA Foundation. Evert has used her platform to advocate for more opportunities and resources for future generations. The USTA Foundation recently awarded $3 million in grants to National Junior Tennis and Learning chapters all over the country.

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She was diagnosed with stage 1 ovarian cancer earlier this year. Evert battled this illness with bravery and perseverance, finishing her final chemotherapy treatment in May.

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Written by:

Pratishtha Prakash

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Pratishtha Prakash is a Tennis Writer at EssentiallySports. She has completed her Bachelor’s degree in Mass Media and Journalism from MIT ADT University, Pune. Being a sports enthusiast, she has a keen interest in tennis, cricket and esports.
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Edited by:

Tony Thomas