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NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 07: Martina Navratilova, Serena Williams of the United States and Chris Evert pose after the women’s singles final match on Day fourteen of the 2014 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 7, 2014 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Williams defeated Wozniacki in two sets by a score of 6-3, 6-3. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
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NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 07: Martina Navratilova, Serena Williams of the United States and Chris Evert pose after the women’s singles final match on Day fourteen of the 2014 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 7, 2014 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Williams defeated Wozniacki in two sets by a score of 6-3, 6-3. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Serena Williams might be the favorite of millions around the world but sadly Chris Evert wasn’t one of them at some point in time. Obviously, Evert is appreciative of her talent and her contribution to revolutionizing the WTA. However, she had taken a dig at Williams through an open letter in 2006 where she questioned her place in history. Nonetheless, once, in a one-to-one interview, Serena Williams got back at her with a smart answer mentioning tennis legend Steffi Graf.
The interview happened when Serena Williams won her 18th Grand Slam title and she joined the league of the legends like Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova.
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Serena Williams once got back at Chris Evert over her controversial “place in history” question
Through an open letter in 2006, Chris Evert criticized Williams for not performing at her best. However, when Williams was asked the same question during a one-on-one interview, Williams retorted with a more than appropriate reply.
At first, Evert congratulated Williams for winning her 18th Grand Slam title. She stated, “18 Grand Slams now, you’re in the club.” Williams joked, “Took me a while.”
Then Evert repeated a similar question that she had stated in her 2006 open letter to Serena Williams and asked, “At what point in your career were you aware of your place in history?” Williams started with a humble tone and stated, “Without trying to pontificate I think when I won four in a row. Even though it wasn’t in the same year.”
However, she realized what she had done. Williams stated proudly, “I was like, no one has done that since Steffi Graf, so I’m booked. I felt pretty good about that. It was a monumental moment for me.”
Evert had written an open letter to Williams. She was unsatisfied with Williams’ performance and blamed her for not giving her best. She even criticized her for stepping into the world of entertainment and fashion and advised her to focus only on tennis.
Evert takes credit for Williams’ Grand Slam record
The fans of Serena Williams did not like the tone of the open letter and have since criticized it. Previously, when Evert gave a detailed analysis of Coco Gauff’s defeat at the US Open, it reminded some of Williams’ fans of her open letter.
This resulted in them bashing Evert all over again. However, this time, instead of backing away, she retorted by stating that it was because of her letter that Williams became entirely committed to the sport and won 18 more Grand Slam titles.
WATCH THIS STORY: Chris Evert Looks Back at Her Astounding Rivalry With Martina Navratilova and the Negative Impact of Her 13-Match Losing Streak
Do you think Evert’s open letter played any role in shaping Williams’ career? Let us know your views in the comments below.
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Arijit Saha