‘Totally Knocked Off Your Pedestal’ – Chris Evert Once Opened About the Transition From a Celebrated Tennis Legend to a Mother

Published 08/12/2022, 9:30 AM EDT

Chris Evert is one of those who inspire the youngbloods to chase their dreams with all their will and might. She executed such an impactful career that it has become the parameter of success. Tennis fans to this day compare players’ caliber with her and estimate their future.

However, only Evert knows what she had to sacrifice to engrave her name on the sport forever. An athlete is in a race always. And in the case of tennis, time flies because of the year-round hectic schedule. Therefore, when one jumps out of the sport, there is a whole new world in front of them. Here’s what the 18 times Grand Slam champion’s first few years off the court were like.

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Chris Evert about the shift and motherhood

Evert, after strengthening WTA’s foundation, bid farewell to tennis in the year 1989 and when she started living with no tournaments and practice sessions, her thoughts were kind of jumbled. As the veteran in a 2006 interview said, “For those first 10 years every morning felt like vacation.”

“I hadn’t realized how much pressure had built up inside me. I got my life back. Around the same time, I met my husband and had kids. And then you’re totally knocked off your pedestal.”

She further confessed, “One day I was traveling on private jets. Suddenly you’re traveling with a baby and your hair’s a mess and there’s throw up on your shoulder. It’s not just about you.”

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The seven times French Open champion’s last tournament was the 1989 Fed Cup. She stepped onto the court and played her last match against the Spaniard, Conchita Martínez. Evert marked the end of her career with a 6-3, 6-2 win against the 1994 Wimbledon champion in the finals.

Evert’s struggle with cancer

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Evert first lost her sister to the gruesome disease. Jeanne Evert Dubin, Evert’s younger sister, after bravely fighting for almost two and a half years against ovarian cancer, said goodbye to the world in the year 2020.

However, her sad demise in a way saved her elder sister, who underwent a preventive hysterectomy only to stumble upon the news of stage one ovarian cancer.

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The 67-year-old was diagnosed with the same in January this year. She, with no delay, opted for medical help and now, after six chemotherapy sessions, became free as a bird. Evert returned to her normal life and retook the analyst profile at ESPN.

What do you think about Evert’s illustrious tennis career?

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Written by:

Mahima Verma is a Tennis writer for EssentiallySports. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Hotel Management from IHM Mumbai. A sports enthusiast, particularly Tennis since her childhood, Mahima believes that she is fortunate enough to witness the legends like Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Serena Williams play.

Edited by:

Rohini Kottu

‘Totally Knocked Off Your Pedestal’ – Chris Evert Once Opened About the Transition From a Celebrated Tennis Legend to a Mother

Chris Evert about the shift and motherhood

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Evert’s struggle with cancer