The legendary rivalry between Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova is world-renowned. Consequently, this has brought a good name and fame to the sport. Both the players were each other’s arch-rivals, but that did not stop them from being each other’s friends and well-wishers.

In an old interview, the players frankly discussed what they perceived each other’s spirit animals to be and their resemblance to these animals.

Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert call out each other’s personalities

The interviewer asked Martina Navratilova about Chris Evert’s spirit animal, who had called her a kitten. Navratilova called Chris a cougar. She said, “She’s a cougar. Not in the way they talk about it now, but in that she’s very protective of her friends and family.”

She also talked about how their personalities have exchanged. She said, “It’s funny—she’s opened up, and I’m not nearly as open as I once was about my life.” Chris Evert supplemented that and said, “I let it all out now.” 

The legendary rivalry of tennis

Both tennis legends have always admired and respected each other. The players have had a face-off against each other a whopping 80 times. Out of those 80 times, they have faced each other in finals a total of 60 times.

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Martina Navratilova reigned over the grass-court major and won it a total of nine times. On the other hand, Chris Evert was reigning over the French Open and the US Open, which she won seven and six times, respectively. Interestingly, both the players have won the singles grand slam titles 18 times. They both have been inspirations to many tennis legends of this generation as well.

Both the players have always supported each other. During Navratilova’s asylum in the USA, Chris Evert supported and respected her. They both supported and wished for each other’s recovery when they got diagnosed with cancer at different stages of their lives.

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Recently, Chris Evert was a part of the centenary celebration of Wimbledon. Navratilova had to miss the centenary celebration because of her diagnosis of COVID-19.