At the age of 67, tennis legend Chris Evert is enjoying her single life, while all her ex-husbands have remarried. She is a proud mother to three boys, who have grown up to forge their own paths in their respective careers. A few years back, the 18-time Grand Slam champion talked about the difference in her and her children’s upbringing.

The former world number one’s upbringing was strict and conservative. Her father, pro tennis coach Jimmy Evert, was her biggest inspiration behind taking up the sport. She followed a strict schedule for everything, including family dinners and practice sessions.

Chris Evert talks about her different parenting approach

In an interview given in 2016, the American tennis star opened up about the parenting style that she used to raise her kids. And believes that her approach has made them kind and gentle. 

She said, “Because my upbringing was so strict, so black and white with no grey, I went the other way with my sons. I listened to them, let them talk me into letting them stay up an extra hour at bedtime. I probably could have been stricter, but I’d tell them “just do your best”. As a result, they are very kind and loving.”

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Rather than having a strict parenting style, Evert chose to be a lenient mother to her boys. She maintained her calm and composed demeanor on the tennis court as well, earning the nickname ‘Ice Maiden’.

Evert regrets ending her marriage with Andy Mill

The American tennis ace had three failed marriages, but there was a time when she regretted ending her second marriage with Andy Mill. She was married to the former Alpine ski racer for almost 20 years. However, after calling off with the Olympic skier, she married the former Australian golfer, Greg Norman. However, she ended her marriage with Norman in a year, by the end of 2009.

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Since then, her children have been the only men in her personal life. Despite ending all of her marriages, she has maintained amicable relationships with her ex-husbands, especially with Andy Mill. He was by her side when she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.