Early Breakthrough and First Title

Chris Evert’s journey at the U.S. Open began in 1970 as a shy 15‑year‑old amateur. She quickly announced her arrival with a run to the quarterfinals, but it was the following year that she truly stunned the tennis world. In the 1971 semifinal, Evert faced the top seed and six‑time champion Billie Jean King on the grass courts of Forest Hills. Evert’s two‑handed backhand and relentless baseline consistency neutralized King’s serve‑and‑volley attack. She won 6–3, 6–2, a result that signaled the dawn of a new era. Though she lost the final to Margaret Court, Evert had proven she belonged on the biggest stage. The 1971 match remains one of the greatest upsets in U.S. Open history and established Evert’s reputation as a player who thrived under pressure.

Evert returned to Forest Hills in 1972 as the No. 3 seed and reached the semifinals again, this time falling to eventual champion King in a tighter three‑set affair: 6–4, 4–6, 6–3. The match demonstrated Evert’s rapid improvement; she saved three set points in the second set and broke King twice before fatigue set in. King later called it “the toughest semifinal I had ever played at that point.” In 1973, Evert reached her second U.S. Open final, facing defending champion Court. The Australian’s raw power overwhelmed Evert in the first set 6–2, but Chris regrouped and won the second 6–4 with precise passing shots. Court pulled away in the decider 7–5, but Evert had shown she could hang with the most dominant players on the circuit. These early clashes laid the foundation for a career that would redefine women’s tennis.

One often‑overlooked match from this period is the 1974 semifinal, where Evert dismantled Rosie Casals 6–1, 6–2 in just 48 minutes. Casals was a crafty serve‑and‑volleyer who had troubled Evert earlier in the year, but on the slow Har‑Tru clay of Forest Hills, Evert’s deep returns and lobs left Casals helpless. The victory set up a final against Billie Jean King that was postponed due to rain; when played a day later, King edged Evert 7–6, 6–2 in a match that saw 17 breaks of serve. Despite the loss, Evert had proven she could win the war of attrition from the baseline. That 1974 final also marked the last time the U.S. Open would be played on grass before moving to clay in 1975. The transition to a slower surface would only enhance Evert’s strengths, setting the stage for her first title.

The 1975 Final: First Crown

Evert’s first U.S. Open title came in 1975 on the newly introduced Har‑Tru clay at Forest Hills. She faced a rising star, Martina Navratilova, in the final. Navratilova’s power and athleticism posed a serious threat, but Evert’s tactical genius and unbreakable concentration prevailed. After losing the first set 5–7, Evert adjusted her return position and began feeding low slices to Navratilova’s backhand, forcing errors. She took the second set 6–4 and raced through the third 6–2. The 1975 final was the first of many classic clashes between the two legends, and it showcased Evert’s ability to solve problems on the fly. This victory made her the first player since Helen Wills to win the U.S. Open on clay and cemented her as the world’s No. 1.

Evert’s path to that final was equally impressive. In the quarterfinals, she overcame a stubborn Julie Heldman 6–4, 7–5, saving three set points in the second set with brave down‑the‑line backhands. In the semifinals, she crushed Margaret Court 6–3, 6–3, avenging her 1973 final loss. Court later remarked, “Chris never gave me the same look twice; she kept changing the spin and depth until I lost my rhythm.” Evert’s ability to dictate rallies without taking unnecessary risks became her hallmark. The 1975 campaign also included a memorable third‑round battle with Kerry Melville, where Evert trailed 5–7, 0–3 before reeling off 12 straight games. It was a glimpse of the never‑say‑die spirit that would define her career.

Sustained Dominance in the Late 1970s

From 1975 to 1978, Evert compiled a staggering 31‑match winning streak at the U.S. Open, a record that still stands. During this stretch she won four consecutive titles, each victory highlighting a different facet of her game. The 1976 final against Evonne Goolagong Cawley was a battle of grace versus grit. Goolagong’s silky movement and net play tested Evert, but Chris’s deep returns and lobs kept her opponent off balance. Evert won 6–3, 6–0, dominating from start to finish. Goolagong later reminisced, “Chris made you feel like you were hitting into a wind; nothing came back cleanly.” In the quarterfinals of that year, Evert faced a young Martina Navratilova and won 6–4, 6–4 in a match that foreshadowed their future rivalry. Evert’s serve, often underrated, was particularly effective that day—she won 72% of her first‑serve points.

The 1977 Final: Revenge Against King

In 1977, Evert met Billie Jean King in the final. King, playing her last U.S. Open, was determined to go out on top. The match was a tense three‑set affair. King won the first set 6–4 with aggressive serve‑and‑volley tactics, but Evert adjusted by hitting more passing shots down the line. She took the second set 6–2 and broke King early in the third. Evert’s composure under duress was remarkable; she saved two break points at 4–3 in the final set before closing out 7–5. The 1977 final was not only a victory in their storied rivalry but also a passing of the torch. It demonstrated Evert’s ability to win even when her opponent played her absolute best. King later said, “Chris was the toughest opponent I ever faced, because she never gave you an easy point.” The match also featured a key moment at 5‑4 in the third set when Evert hit a lunging backhand pass that King later called “the best shot I ever saw under pressure.”

The 1978 Final: Youth vs. Experience

By 1978, the U.S. Open had moved to Flushing Meadows and switched to hard courts. Evert’s opponent in the final was the teenage phenomenon Tracy Austin. Austin’s speed and compact groundstrokes troubled Evert early, but Chris’s experience told in the clutch moments. After splitting sets, Evert broke Austin at 4–3 in the third with a perfectly executed backhand down the line. She served out the match 7–5, 6–3, 6–4. The 1978 final was a classic generational clash, and Evert’s victory reinforced her reputation as the most mentally tough competitor in women’s tennis. It also extended her U.S. Open winning streak to 31 matches, a mark that may never be broken. Austin later admitted, “I thought I could beat her, but in the big points she was unbreakable.” Evert’s run to that final included a straight‑sets semifinal win over Virginia Wade, a match in which she committed only eight unforced errors. The transition to hard courts had done nothing to diminish her margin for error.

The streak finally ended in 1979 when Evert lost to Austin in a rematch final. That match saw Evert fail to convert five break points in the third set, falling 6–4, 6–3. It was a rare tactical slip—Evert later admitted she overhit her backhand on several key points. Yet even in defeat, Evert showed grace, praising Austin as “the future of the game.” The 1979 loss would fuel her return the following year, proving that setbacks only sharpened her resolve.

Resurgent Success in the 1980s

After losing the 1979 final to Austin, Evert returned with renewed focus. Her game had evolved—she added more topspin to her forehand and improved her net play—but her core strength remained her ability to out‑think opponents. The 1980 U.S. Open saw her capture her fifth title in a dramatic final against Austin. The match lasted nearly three hours, with both players exchanging breaks in the final set. At 5‑6, 30‑40, Evert saved a championship point with a courageous backhand winner. She then broke Austin in the next game and held serve to win 5–7, 6–3, 6–4. The 1980 final is often called one of the greatest women’s matches ever played at the U.S. Open. It showcased Evert’s never‑say‑die spirit and her ability to raise her level when facing elimination. Statistics from the match show Evert won 12 of the last 15 points after saving championship point, a testament to her mental fortitude.

Evert’s 1981 campaign saw her fall in the semifinals to eventual champion Navratilova 6–4, 3–6, 6–4 in a match that featured 12 breaks of serve. Though she didn’t win the title, the match was a tactical clinic; Evert used an assortment of moonballs and drop shots to keep Navratilova guessing. She also saved four set points in the opening set before Navratilova’s athleticism eventually wore her down. The New York Times described the match as “a chess match played at sprint speed.” Evert later said it was one of the most satisfying losses of her career because she had executed her game plan nearly perfectly. The next year, she would get her revenge.

The 1982 Final: Classic Rivalry Renewed

Evert’s sixth and final U.S. Open title came in 1982 against her greatest rival, Martina Navratilova. By this time, Navratilova had taken her game to unprecedented heights with a fitness regimen and attacking style that had turned their head‑to‑head in her favor. But on the slow hard courts of Flushing Meadows, Evert’s consistency and angles proved decisive. She won in straight sets 6–3, 7–6(1), mixing deep lobs and sharp cross‑court passes to keep Navratilova from dictating. The 1982 final was a tactical masterpiece; Evert neutralized Navratilova’s serve with precise returns and forced errors with her trademark two‑handed backhand. It was a reminder that even against the most powerful player in the game, Evert’s mind remained her most potent weapon. That match also featured one of the tournament’s longest rallies—a 52‑shot exchange in the tiebreak that left the crowd breathless. After the match, Navratilova admitted, “I couldn’t find a way through her defense. She was like a wall.”

Evert’s path to the 1982 final included a dominant quarterfinal win over Pam Shriver (6–2, 6–4) and a semifinal victory against Andrea Jaeger (6–1, 6–2) where she won 16 of the last 19 games. Her serve was never more reliable—she faced only three break points the entire tournament. That championship remains one of the most complete performances of her career, blending defense, counterpunching, and timely aggression.

Later Years and a Legendary Semifinal

As Evert entered her 30s, injuries and a more athletic generation of players made each U.S. Open a battle. Yet she continued to produce memorable matches. The 1984 semifinal against Navratilova is widely regarded as one of the finest matches ever played at the tournament. Navratilova was at the peak of her powers, having won 74 consecutive matches. Evert, playing with a strained back and facing a 13‑match losing streak against her rival, refused to yield. The match went the full three sets, with Navratilova finally winning 6–4, 4–6, 6–4 after nearly two and a half hours. Evert saved multiple break points in the final set and broke Navratilova when she served for the match at 5–3. Though she ultimately fell short, her performance was a testament to her courage and shot‑making ability. The 1984 semifinal remains a benchmark for competitive excellence in sports. Evert later described that match as “the proudest I ever was after a loss.” She had hit 28 winners, many of them on stretched passing shots that left Navratilova scrambling. The crowd gave her a standing ovation that lasted nearly three minutes after the final point. Navratilova said, “Chris played like a champion tonight. I was just lucky to survive.”

In 1985, Evert’s last great run came via a quarterfinal victory over Hana Mandlikova, a former champion known for her fearless shot‑making. Mandlikova had beaten Evert at the 1980 Australian Open, but on the slow Flushing Meadows hard courts, Evert’s defense frustrated the Czech star. The match ended 6–3, 6–4, with Evert winning 11 of the last 13 points. She then lost to Navratilova in the semifinals for the fourth consecutive year. That 1985 semifinal was a tighter affair than the scoreline suggests: Evert led 5‑3 in the second set before Navratilova reeled off four straight games. Two years later, at age 33, Evert reached the semifinals again, losing to Navratilova 6–2, 6–2 in a match that highlighted the physical gap that had developed. Yet even in that loss, Evert saved five of six break points and forced Navratilova to serve out the second set with a forehand winner from a defensive position. Her final U.S. Open appearance in 1989 ended with a quarterfinal loss to Zina Garrison, but she left the court to a standing ovation that lasted nearly five minutes. “She taught me what it means to be a professional,” Garrison later said.

Legacy at the U.S. Open

Chris Evert’s record at the U.S. Open is staggering: six singles titles, seven finals appearances, and a career winning percentage of .922 (89–8) at the tournament. Beyond the statistics, she elevated the U.S. Open into a stage for strategic tennis and emotional drama. Her rivalry with Navratilova drew record crowds and turned women’s tennis into a marquee attraction. Evert’s sportsmanship—she never argued with linespeople or threw tantrums—set a standard for professionalism. Her impact extends to the next generation; players such as Justine Henin and Simona Halep have cited Evert’s composure and court craft as influences. The U.S. Open honored her with a statue in 2022, cementing her place among the tournament’s immortals. For fans who watched her compete, Evert’s U.S. Open matches remain lessons in resilience, intelligence, and grace under fire.

Her legacy also includes the evolution of women’s tennis tactics. Evert’s two‑handed backhand became a model for future champions; players like Monica Seles and Serena Williams built on her foundation of controlled aggression from the baseline. Even today, coaches study Evert’s point‑construction patterns as a blueprint for neutralising power players. The 31‑match winning streak may never be broken—only Serena Williams has come close (20 consecutive wins from 2002 to 2005). Evert’s ability to combine consistency with tactical innovation remains a benchmark for success at the highest level of professional tennis.

To learn more about Chris Evert’s career statistics and her impact on the sport, visit the WTA profile or the U.S. Open official site. For a deeper dive into her legendary rivalry with Martina Navratilova, this Tennis.com article provides excellent context. Additional analysis of Evert’s tactical evolution can be found in this TennisNow retrospective. Evert’s own memoir, Chrissie: My Own Story, offers intimate details of her U.S. Open triumphs and struggles, making it a must‑read for any fan of the sport. Her ability to blend mental toughness with technical precision continues to inspire players and spectators alike, ensuring her place as one of the greatest champions the U.S. Open has ever known.