Evert–Navratilova rivalry

Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova are retired American and American/Czechoslovak professional tennis players who engaged in an iconic rivalry for dominance in women's tennis in the 1970s and 1980s. It is considered to be one of the greatest in women's tennis history and sports in general.[1][2][3][4][5]

Chris Evert (left) and Martina Navratilova each won 18 Grand Slam singles titles.

In the 12 years from the introduction of the WTA rankings in November 1975 until August 1987, one of the two held the top spot in all but 23 weeks, switching multiple times between 1978 and 1985. In the first 615 weeks of the WTA rankings, they collectively held the No. 1 ranking for 592 weeks, Navratilova at 332 weeks and Evert at 260 weeks. In total, from 1973 to 1988 they played 80 matches, including 60 tournament finals.[1][6][7]

Starting at the 1981 Australian Open, through the 1985 Wimbledon, they won a record 15 consecutive grand slam singles titles. From the 1982 Australian Open to the 1987 US Open, they won 21 of those 24 grand slam singles titles and at least one of them appeared in each of those 24 consecutive grand slam finals. The only other two players to win titles during that stretch were Hana Mandlikova (1985 US Open and 1987 Australian Open) and Steffi Graf (1987 French Open).

They played 80 matches with Navratilova leading the head to head 43–37 and leading 36–24 in all finals. The two played against each other most on the faster court surfaces (grass and indoors) where Navratilova's offensive serve-and-volley style of play gave her the upper hand over Evert's counter-attacking baseline approach. Evert enjoyed her greatest success against Navratilova on hard courts and especially on clay courts. Navratilova led Evert 10–5 on grass; Evert led Navratilova 11–3 on clay courts; Navratilova led 9–7 on outdoor hard courts. Indoors, Navratilova won the majority of their matches, leading 21–14. Evert led their head-to-head in three-set match wins with 15–14, but Navratilova led 29–22 in straight sets wins. Navratilova was most dominant in encounters in Grand Slams, leading 14–8 overall and 10–4 in finals. Navratilova had the upper hand in their head-to-head over 9 seasons (1979, 1981–88), whereas Evert led over the first 6 years of their rivalry (1973–78).

Grand Slam matches
Tournament19751976197719781979198019811982198319841985198619871988
French OpenENEEN
WimbledonENNENNNNN
US OpenENNN
Australian OpenNENE

Head-to-head breakdown
  • All matches: Navratilova 43–37
  • All finals: Navratilova 36–24
  • Grand Slam matches: Navratilova 14–8
  • Grand Slam finals: Navratilova 10–4
  • Grand Slam semifinals: Tied 4–4
  • WTA Tour Championships finals: Navratilova 2–1
  • Non-Grand Slam & Non-WTA Tour Championships finals: Navratilova 24–20
  • Three-set matches: Evert 15–14
  • Straight-set matches: Navratilova 29–22

Results on each surface
Hard CourtClayGrassCarpetTotal
Evert Navratilova Evert Navratilova Evert Navratilova Evert Navratilova Evert Navratilova
Australian Open 1 0 1 2 2 2
French Open 3 2 3 2
Wimbledon 2 7 2 7
US Open 0 3 1 0 1 3
Virginia Slims Championships 1 2 1 2
Toyota Championships 2 0 0 1 2 1
Amelia Island 1 1 1 1
WTA Atlanta 1 0 1 0 2 0
Brighton International 1 2 1 2
Canadian Open 0 1 0 1
Eastbourne International 1 1 1 1
Charleston Open 1 0 1 0
Italian Open 2 0 2 0
L'Eggs World Series 2 0 2 0
Lion's Cup 1 3 1 3
Miami Open 0 1 0 1
Eckerd Open 1 0 1 0
Stuttgart Open 0 2 0 2
Sydney International 1 0 1 0
US Indoors 0 1 0 1
Virginia Slims of Akron 2 0 2 0
Virginia Slims of California 2 1 2 1
Virginia Slims of Chicago 0 3 0 3
Virginia Slims of Dallas 0 4 0 4
Virginia Slims of Florida 1 0 1 0
Virginia Slims of Houston 2 0 0 1 2 1
Virginia Slims of Los Angeles 1 2 2 0 3 2
Virginia Slims of Philadelphia 2 0 2 0
Virginia Slims of Phoenix 0 1 0 1
Virginia Slims of Seattle 1 0 1 0
Virginia Slims of Washington 0 2 0 2
Total 8 8 11 3 5 10 13 22 37 43

List of all matches

WTA, Fed Cup, and Grand Slam main draw results included.[8]

Martina Navratilova leads the head-to-head 43–37. Walkovers are not counted as official wins or losses.

Legend Evert Navratilova
Grand Slam 8 14
Virginia Slims Championships 1 2
Toyota Championships 2 1
Tour Events 26 26
Total 37 43

Singles

Evert–Navratilova: 80 (37–43)

No. Year Tournament Surface Round Winner Score Evert Navratilova
1. 1973 Virginia Slims of Akron Carpet Round of 16 Evert 7–6(5–4), 6–3 1 0
2. 1973 Eckerd Open Clay Semifinals Evert 7–5, 6–3 2 0
3. 1974 Virginia Slims of California Carpet Round of 32 Evert 6–7, 6–3, 6–1 3 0
4. 1974 Italian Open Clay Final Evert 6–3, 6–3 4 0
5. 1975 Virginia Slims of California Carpet Semifinals Evert 6–4, 6–3 5 0
6. 1975 Virginia Slims of Washington Carpet Quarterfinals Navratilova 3–6, 6–4, 7–6(5–4) 5 1
7. 1975 Virginia Slims of Akron Carpet Quarterfinals Evert 6–3, 6–1 6 1
8. 1975 Virginia Slims of Chicago Carpet Semifinals Navratilova 6–4, 6–0 6 2
9. 1975 Virginia Slims of Philadelphia Carpet Semifinals Evert 7–6, 6–4 7 2
10. 1975 Virginia Slims Championships Carpet Final Evert 6–4, 6–2 8 2
11. 1975 Charleston Open Clay Final Evert 7–5, 6–4 9 2
12. 1975 Italian Open Clay Final Evert 6–1, 6–0 10 2
13. 1975 Roland Garros Clay Final Evert 2–6, 6–2, 6–1 11 2
14. 1975 US Open Clay Semifinals Evert 6–4, 6–4 12 2
15. 1975 WTA Atlanta Hard (i) Final Evert 2–6, 6–2, 6–0 13 2
16. 1976 L'Eggs World Series Hard Semifinals Evert 6–0, 6–3 14 2
17. 1976 Virginia Slims of Houston Carpet Final Navratilova 6–3, 6–4 14 3
18. 1976 Wimbledon Grass Semifinals Evert 6–3, 4–6, 6–4 15 3
19. 1977 Virginia Slims of Washington Carpet Final Navratilova 6–2, 6–3 15 4
20. 1977 Virginia Slims of Seattle Carpet Final Evert 6–2, 6–4 16 4
21. 1977 Virginia Slims of Los Angeles Carpet Final Evert 6–2, 2–6, 6–1 17 4
22. 1977 Virginia Slims of Philadelphia Carpet Final Evert 6–4, 4–6, 6–3 18 4
23. 1977 L'Eggs World Series Hard (i) Final Evert 6–3, 7–6(5–3) 19 4
24. 1977 Toyota Championships Hard Round of 32 Evert 6–4, 6–1 20 4
25. 1978 Eastbourne International Grass Final Navratilova 6–4, 4–6, 9–7 20 5
26. 1978 Wimbledon Grass Final Navratilova 2–6, 6–4, 7–5 20 6
27. 1978 WTA Atlanta Carpet Final Evert 7–6(7–3), 0–6, 6–3 21 6
28. 1978 Toyota Championships Hard Final Evert 6–3, 6–3 22 6
29. 1978 Lion's Cup Carpet Final Evert 7–5, 6–2 23 6
30. 1979 Virginia Slims of California Carpet Final Navratilova 7–5, 7–5 23 7
31. 1979 Virginia Slims of Los Angeles Carpet Final Evert 6–3, 6–4 24 7
32. 1979 Virginia Slims of Dallas Carpet Final Navratilova 6–4, 6–4 24 8
33. 1979 Eastbourne International Grass Final Evert 7–5, 5–7, 13–11 25 8
34. 1979 Wimbledon Grass Final Navratilova 6–4, 6–4 25 9
35. 1979 Virginia Slims of Phoenix Hard Final Navratilova 6–1, 6–3 25 10
36. 1979 Brighton International Carpet Final Navratilova 6–3, 6–3 25 11
37. 1980 Virginia Slims of Chicago Carpet Final Navratilova 6–4, 6–4 25 12
38. 1980 Wimbledon Grass Semifinals Evert 4–6, 6–4, 6–2 26 12
39. 1980 Brighton International Carpet Final Evert 6–4, 5–7, 6–3 27 12
40. 1980 Lion's Cup Carpet Semifinals Navratilova 7–6, 6–2 27 13
41. 1981 Amelia Island Championships Clay Final Evert 6–0, 6–0 28 13
42. 1981 US Open Hard Semifinals Navratilova 7–5, 4–6, 6–4 28 14
43. 1981 Lion's Cup Carpet Final Navratilova 6–3, 6–2 28 15
44. 1981 Sydney International Grass Final Evert 6–4, 2–6, 6–1 29 15
45. 1981 Australian Open Grass Final Navratilova 6–7(4–7), 6–4, 7–5 29 16
46. 1982 Wimbledon Grass Final Navratilova 6–1, 3–6, 6–2 29 17
47. 1982 Brighton International Carpet Final Navratilova 6–1, 6–4 29 18
48. 1982 Australian Open Grass Final Evert 6–3, 2–6, 6–3 30 18
49. 1982 Toyota Championships Carpet Final Navratilova 4–6, 6–1, 6–2 30 19
50. 1983 Virginia Slims of Dallas Carpet Final Navratilova 6–4, 6–0 30 20
51. 1983 Virginia Slims Championships Carpet Final Navratilova 6–2, 6–0 30 21
52. 1983 Virginia Slims of Los Angeles Hard Final Navratilova 6–1, 6–3 30 22
53. 1983 Canadian Open Hard Final Navratilova 6–4, 4–6, 6–1 30 23
54. 1983 US Open Hard Final Navratilova 6–1, 6–3 30 24
55. 1983 Lion's Cup Carpet Final Navratilova 6–2, 6–2 30 25
56. 1984 US Indoor Championships Carpet Final Navratilova 6–2, 7–6(7–4) 30 26
57. 1984 Virginia Slims Championships Carpet Final Navratilova 6–3, 7–5, 6–1 30 27
58. 1984 Amelia Island Championships Clay Final Navratilova 6–2, 6–0 30 28
59. 1984 Roland Garros Clay Final Navratilova 6–3, 6–1 30 29
60. 1984 Wimbledon Grass Final Navratilova 7–6(7–5), 6–2 30 30
61. 1984 US Open Hard Final Navratilova 4–6, 6–4, 6–4 30 31
62. 1985 Virginia Slims of Florida Hard Final Evert 6–2, 6–4 31 31
63. 1985 Miami Open Hard Final Navratilova 6–2, 6–4 31 32
64. 1985 Virginia Slims of Dallas Carpet Final Navratilova 6–3 6–4 31 33
65. 1985 Roland Garros Clay Final Evert 6–3, 6–7(4–7), 7–5 32 33
66. 1985 Wimbledon Grass Final Navratilova 4–6, 6–3, 6–2 32 34
67. 1985 Australian Open Grass Final Navratilova 6–2, 4–6, 6–2 32 35
68. 1986 Virginia Slims of Dallas Carpet Final Navratilova 6–2, 6–1 32 36
69. 1986 Roland Garros Clay Final Evert 2–6, 6–3, 6–3 33 36
70. 1986 Virginia Slims of Los Angeles Hard Final Navratilova 7–6(7–5), 6–3 33 37
71. 1987 Virginia Slims of Houston Clay Final Evert 3–6, 6–1, 7–6(7–4) 34 37
72. 1987 Roland Garros Clay Semifinals Navratilova 6–2, 6–2 34 38
73. 1987 Wimbledon Grass Semifinals Navratilova 6–2, 5–7, 6–4 34 39
74. 1987 Virginia Slims of Los Angeles Hard Semifinals Evert 6–2, 6–1 35 39
75. 1987 Stuttgart Open Carpet Final Navratilova 7–5, 6–1 35 40
76. 1988 Australian Open Hard Semifinals Evert 6–2, 7–5 36 40
77. 1988 Virginia Slims of Houston Clay Final Evert 6–0, 6–4 37 40
78. 1988 Wimbledon Grass Semifinals Navratilova 6–1, 4–6, 7–5 37 41
79. 1988 Stuttgart Open Carpet Final Navratilova 6–2, 6–3 37 42
80. 1988 Virginia Slims of Chicago Carpet Final Navratilova 6–2, 6–2 37 43

Grand Slam performance timeline comparison

For all players in their era see: Tennis performance timeline comparison (women)

1971–1977
Player1971197219731974197519761977
AUS FRA WIM USA AUS FRA WIM USA AUS FRA WIM USA AUS FRA WIM USA AUS FRA WIM USA AUS FRA WIM USA AUSJ FRA WIM USA AUSD
Martina Navratilova – – – – – – – – A QF 3R 1R A QF 1R 3R F F QF SF A A SF 1R A A QF SF A
Chris Evert A A A SF A A SF SF A F F SF F W W SF A W SF W A A W W A A SF W A
  • The Australian Open was held twice in 1977, in January (J) and December (D).

1978–1984
Player1978197919801981198219831984
FRA WIM USA AUS FRA WIM USA AUS FRA WIM USA AUS FRA WIM USA AUS FRA WIM USA AUS FRA WIM USA AUS FRA WIM USA AUS
Martina Navratilova A W SF A A W SF A A SF 4R SF QF SF F W W W QF F 4R W W W W W W SF
Chris Evert A F W A W F F A W F W A SF W SF F SF F W W W 3R F A F F F W

1985–1991
Player1985198619871988198919901991
FRA WIM USA AUS FRA WIM USA AUS FRA WIM USA AUS FRA WIM USA AUS FRA WIM USA AUS FRA WIM USA AUS FRA WIM USA
Martina Navratilova F W F W F W W F F W W SF 4R F QF QF A F F A A W 4R A A QF F
Chris Evert W F SF F W SF SF A SF SF QF F 3R SF SF A A SF QF Retired

1992–2006
Player1992199319941995 to 2003200420052006
AUS FRA WIM USA AUS FRA WIM USA AUS FRA WIM USA AUS FRA WIM USA AUS FRA WIM USA AUS FRA WIM USA AUS FRA WIM USA
Martina Navratilova A A SF 2R A A SF 4R A 1R F A Retired A 1R 2R A A A A A Retired
Chris Evert Retired

WTA rankings

Year-end ranking timeline
Player1972197319741975197619771978197919801981198219831984198519861987198819891990199119921993199495–032004
Chris Evert 3 3 1 1 1 1 2 2 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 10 [A]
Martina Navratilova 9 3 4 3 1 1 3 3 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 3 4 5 3 8 376

[A] Evert retired in September 1989 after the US Open, at which time she was ranked world No. 4.

See also

References
  1. "Ten great tennis rivalries". The Independent. July 8, 2008. Retrieved 2010-12-08. Chris Evert v Martina Navratilova. Time span: '73–88 (80 matches) Head to head: Navratilova 43 Evert 37. Grand Slam finals: 14; Navratilova won 10. Wimbledon: Five finals; Navratilova won all.
  2. Knapp, Gwen (June 19, 2005). "Evert vs. Navratilova – what a rivalry should be". SFGate. Retrieved 2010-12-20. But I miss Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova. None of today's athletes, male or female, can match what these two wrought as adversaries on the court and as friends off it. Nor, for that matter, can anyone from an earlier era.
  3. "Hingis, Williams Building A Rivalry". Associated Press. May 11, 1998. Retrieved 2010-12-20. Venus vs. Martina is on its way to joining Chris vs. Martina as a rivalry for the ages. Women's tennis is rife with ...
  4. Johnette Howard (2006). The Rivals: Chris Evert vs. Martina Navratilova, Their Epic Duels and Extraordinary Friendship. A dual portrait of a legendary sports rivalry and friendship follows the careers of tennis greats Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova, from their first match in 1973 through the dramatic changes that occurred in the world of sports and society, including the rise of both the women's and gay rights movement and the fall of the Iron Curtain.
  5. John Dolan (2011). Women's Tennis 1968–84: the Ultimate Guide. Remous. pp. 536, 546–547.
  6. "Career record of Martina Navratilova vs. Chris Evert Lloyd..." UPI. June 5, 1986.
  7. Danielle Rossingh (August 26, 2018). "The late '70s ushered in a new women's tennis rivalry: Chrissie vs. Martina". The New York Times.
  8. "Head 2 Head". www.wtatennis.com. Women's Tennis Association (WTA. Archived from the original on 2016-05-05.}
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