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Evert–Navratilova rivalry

Tennis rivalry From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Evert–Navratilova rivalry was a tennis rivalry in the 1970s and 1980s between Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova, widely regarded as two of the greatest tennis players of all time. It is considered one of the greatest rivalries in tennis history and sports in general.[1][2][3][4][5] The pair contested 80 matches between 1973 and 1988 (60 of which were finals), with Navratilova leading the overall head-to-head 43–37 and 36–24 in finals. It is the most prolific tennis rivalry of the Open Era.

Chris Evert
Martina Navratilova
Chris Evert (left) and Martina Navratilova (right) each won 18 major singles titles.

In the 12 years following the introduction of the WTA rankings in November 1975 until August 1987, one of the two held the world No. 1 position in all but 23 weeks. More specifically, 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.[1][6][7] Such was their dominance over other players, that for the period 1977–1987 when the two rivals were first ranked world No. 1 and No. 2, only three players beat them both back-to-back in the same tournament. (Evonne Goolagong Cawley at the 1978 Virginia Slims of Boston, Tracy Austin took three victories over both players at the 1979 US Open, the 1981 Canadian Open and the 1981 Toyota Series Championships; and Hana Mandlíková at the 1985 US Open).[8] From the 1981 Australian Open to the 1985 Wimbledon Championships, the duo won a record 15 consecutive major singles titles.

Evert and Navratilova encountered each other most often 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 more success in the rivalry on hard courts and especially on clay courts. Navratilova led Evert 10–5 on grass, 9–7 on outdoor hard courts, and 21–14 on indoor courts, but Evert led 11–3 on clay courts. Evert led their head-to-head in three-set match wins 15–14, but Navratilova led 29–22 in straight-set encounters. Navratilova was most dominant in encounters in majors, leading 14–8 overall and 10–4 in finals. Evert led their head-to-head for each of the first six years of their rivalry (1973–78), whereas Navratilova had the upper hand for each year in the rest of their rivalry (1979, 1981–88).

Following their retirements, they became close friends.[9]

Grand Slam matches

  • Final matches indicated in bold.
More information Tournament ...
Tournament19751976197719781979198019811982198319841985198619871988
French OpenENEEN
WimbledonENNENNNNN
US OpenENNN
Australian OpenNENE
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Famous matches

1978 Wimbledon final

Navratilova won their 26th match in the final of the 1978 Wimbledon Championships. Evert won the first set, and was cruising in the second, until Navratilova rallied back and won the match in three sets. The third set was a classic combination of a see-saw battle and a contrast in styles between the two players.[10] Navratilova won 12 of the last 13 points for the title, winning the third set 7–5. It is considered to be one of the best finals in Wimbledon history.[11]

1981 Australian Open final

In their 45th encounter, Evert and Navratilova played a three-set epic in the final of the 1981 Australian Open. In his book, tennis historian Steve Flink ranks it as one of their two most significant matches, alongside the 1985 French Open final.[12] Navratilova won the match despite dropping the opening set, winning the final set 7–5. Evert considered the match to be one of her toughest losses.[13] The tournament was played on grass.

1982 Australian Open final

In a rematch of the previous year's final, Evert beat Navratilova in three sets at the 1982 Australian Open. It was a straightforward match, with Evert claiming the first set 6–3, Navratilova the second set 6–2, and Evert finally winning with a third set score of 6–3. With her win, Evert achieved the career Grand Slam.[14] Like the previous year's final, the match was played on grass.

1984 US Open final

In their 61st encounter, Navratilova won in three sets at the 1984 US Open final. Navratilova was on a 54-match winning streak coming into the match, one shy of Evert's then-Open Era record 55-match streak; she would eventually extend the record to 74 matches won in a row, a record that still stands.[15] Navratilova dropped the first set, yet rallied to win the next two to win the US Open. It is considered to be one of the best matches in US Open history.[16][17] Evert later said that "It was the most devastated I've ever felt over a tennis match."[17]

1985 French Open final

In their 65th and perhaps greatest encounter, Evert and Navratilova played a three-set epic in the final of the 1985 French Open. It was a rematch of the previous year's final at the 1984 French Open, which Navratilova won in straight sets. Evert won to reclaim the No. 1 ranking from Navratilova. Evert won the first set 6–3, before Navratilova rallied from down 2–4, 0–40 in the second set to force a third. In the deciding set, Evert let a 5–3 lead slip away, before eventually winning the third set 7–5. It is considered to be one of the greatest major finals in history.[18][19] Evert considers it her favorite win over Navratilova, as she was the underdog and Navratilova had recently strung together many wins over Evert.[20] It is one of the two matches that tennis historian Steve Flink considers the most significant in their rivalry, alongside the 1981 Australian Open final.[12] Frank Deford described the match as the "finest match of their long rivalry".[21]

Head-to-head breakdown

Chris Evert
Martina Navratilova
Chris Evert (left) and Martina Navratilova (right) at the 1987 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, where they met in the final.
  • All matches: (80) Navratilova 43–37
  • All finals: (60) 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
  • Other finals: Navratilova 24–19
  • Three-set matches: Evert 15–14
  • Straight-set matches: Navratilova 29–22

Results on each surface

More information Hard Court, Clay ...
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
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List of all matches

WTA, Fed Cup, and Grand Slam main draw results included.[22]

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

More information Legend, Navratilova ...
Legend Evert Navratilova
Grand Slam 8 14
Virginia Slims Championships 1 2
Toyota Championships 2 1
Tour Events 26 26
Total 37 43
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Singles: 80

Evert 37 – Navratilova 43

More information No., Year ...
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
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Grand Slam performance timeline comparison

For all players in their era see: Tennis performance timeline comparison (women) (1978–present)

1971–1977

More information Player ...
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
Czechoslovakia Martina Navratilova – – – – – – – – A QF 3R 1R A QF 1R 3R F F QF SF A A SF 1R A A QF SF A
United States 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
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  • The Australian Open was held twice in 1977, in January (J) and December (D).

1978–1984

More information Player ...
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
United States 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
United States 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
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1985–1991

More information Player ...
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
United States 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
United States Chris Evert W F SF F W SF SF A SF SF QF F 3R SF SF A A SF QF Retired
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1992–2006

More information Player, 1995 to 2003 ...
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
United States Martina Navratilova A A SF 2R A A SF 4R A 1R F A Retired A 1R 2R A A A A A Retired
United States Chris Evert Retired
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WTA rankings

Year-end ranking timeline

More information Player, 95–03 ...
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
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  1. [A]
    Evert retired in September 1989 after the US Open, at which time she was ranked world No. 4.

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