The Enduring Standard of Chris Evert: Sportsmanship and Fair Play in Tennis

Chris Evert is often celebrated for her two-handed backhand, her relentless baseline consistency, and her 18 Grand Slam singles titles. Yet perhaps her most significant contribution to tennis lies in how she conducted herself during every point, every match, and every tournament. In an era when professional tennis was still finding its ethical footing, Evert emerged not just as a champion but as the sport’s moral compass. Her unwavering commitment to sportsmanship and fair play set a benchmark that continues to shape tennis culture, influencing everything from the WTA Code of Conduct to the way young players are taught to respect the game. This is the story of how one player’s grace under pressure redefined what it means to be a true competitor.

Early Career and the Foundations of Integrity

Born into a tennis family in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Chris Evert learned the game from her father, Jimmy Evert, a respected coach who drilled into her not only technique but also character. From an early age, she was taught that tennis was a contest of skill and will, not a battlefield. While other juniors threw rackets or argued line calls, Evert was already displaying a composure that would become her trademark. By the time she turned professional in 1972 at age 17, she had internalized a code of conduct that prioritized honesty and respect above all else. Her father’s lessons—“Play the ball, not the person”—became the foundation of her approach.

The 1970s were a turbulent time for tennis. The sport was transitioning from amateurism to professionalism, with players navigating the rise of equal prize money, the emergence of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), and the growing intensity of rivalries. In this environment, Evert’s approach stood out. She refused to engage in gamesmanship—no stalling, no intimidating stares, no deliberate appeals to the umpire. Instead, she let her racket do the talking. This attitude earned her the respect of peers and commentators alike. As the New York Times noted in a 1976 profile, “Evert does not merely play fair; she insists upon it, even when it costs her a point.” Her early matches demonstrated that integrity could coexist with relentless competitiveness.

The Role of the Rivalry with Martina Navratilova

Perhaps no relationship better illustrates Evert’s commitment to fair play than her legendary rivalry with Martina Navratilova. Over 60 matches, the two pushed each other to unimaginable heights. Yet off the court, they were pioneers of a different kind—showing the world that fierce competition and genuine friendship could coexist. Evert frequently acknowledged that Navratilova deserved to win when she played better, and she was the first to congratulate her after a loss. This mutual respect elevated the sport and set a template for how rivalries should be conducted. In her autobiography, Navratilova wrote, “Chris never cheated, never complained when a call went against her, and never made excuses. She made me a better person.” Their 1985 French Open final, often called the greatest women’s match ever, ended with Evert losing but immediately praising her opponent: “Martina was simply too good today. That’s all there is to it.”

Key Moments Demonstrating Fair Play

Throughout her career, Evert delivered numerous moments that crystallized her reputation as the game’s most ethical player. These are not merely anecdotes; they are the building blocks of her legacy.

Honest Appeals and Self-Correction

Evert was famous for correcting line judges when they made a mistake in her favor. One of the most cited examples occurred during the 1975 US Open semifinal against Martina Navratilova. Evert’s serve was called in, giving her an ace. She immediately walked toward the net and told the chair umpire that the ball had actually landed out. The point was replayed, and Evert eventually lost the game—but she won enduring admiration. “I would rather lose a point than win one unfairly,” she said in a post-match interview. This kind of honesty was rare then and remains rare today, cementing her as the gold standard for integrity. Another instance came at the 1988 Australian Open, where she overruled a fourth-round line call that would have given her a break point; the ball was clearly out, and she insisted the umpire correct it. Journalists at the time noted that no other player would have done that.

Respect for Opponents Regardless of Outcome

Whether she was crushing an unseeded qualifier or losing a tight final, Evert never wavered in her treatment of opponents. She shook hands firmly, looked them in the eye, and never offered backhanded compliments. After her famous defeat to 17-year-old Tracy Austin in the 1979 US Open final, Evert was visibly disappointed but immediately congratulated Austin and praised her performance. She understood that sportsmanship is not about being gracious only when winning; it is about maintaining that grace under the sting of defeat. In her 2012 memoir Chrissie: My Own Story, she writes about how she deliberately arrived early for press conferences after losses, refusing to hide from the media. “You own your defeat just as you own your victory,” she wrote. “It’s part of being a professional.”

Handling Controversies with Poise

Tennis has always had its share of contentious moments—bad calls, emotional outbursts, and heated exchanges. Evert navigated these with remarkable poise. During the 1989 Australian Open quarterfinal against Helena Suková, a disputed line call led to a heated argument between Suková and the umpire. Evert quietly waited, refrained from commentary, and later told reporters, “It’s not my job to get involved. I trust the officials to do their job.” This deference to authority, combined with her self-advocacy when necessary, demonstrated a balanced approach: she stood up for herself but never demeaned the game. When a controversial call went against her, she would ask the umpire for clarification without escalating. That calm, rational tone became her signature.

Impact on Tennis Culture

Evert’s influence on tennis culture cannot be overstated. She helped professionalize the sport’s attitude toward fair play at a time when conduct codes were still being written. The WTA Code of Conduct, first established in the mid-1970s, drew heavily on the ethos that players like Evert embodied: respect for opponents, officials, and the integrity of the match. Her example also inspired the creation of the WTA Sportsmanship Award, now named the Chris Evert Sportsmanship Award in her honor (awarded from 1995 onward). The award criteria explicitly mention that it recognizes players who display “the qualities of integrity, sportsmanship, and professionalism that Chris Evert displayed throughout her career.”

Shaping the Modern Player’s Mindset

Two decades after Evert’s retirement, her approach lives on in players like Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Andy Murray, all of whom have publicly cited her as a model of deportment. Federer, particularly, is often compared to Evert for his calm demeanor and generous attitude toward opponents. In a 2018 interview with Tennis.com, he said, “I grew up watching Chris Evert. She showed you can be fierce and still be fair. That’s the kind of player I wanted to be.” Nadal once remarked that Evert’s example taught him that “respect for the opponent is the most important thing on court.” Murray, known for his own sportsmanship, has often referenced Evert’s honesty calls when discussing fair play.

Coaches now use Evert’s example to teach young players that sportsmanship and winning are not mutually exclusive. Many tennis academies include ethics modules that reference her honesty calls and her treatment of rivals. The result is a generation of players who, while still competitive, recognize that their reputation matters as much as their ranking. The Evert Tennis Academy in Boca Raton, Florida, which she founded, requires students to attend sessions on sportsmanship and encourages them to call their own faults during practice matches—a direct reflection of her own playing style.

Influence on Officiating and Rules

Evert also indirectly influenced the evolution of tennis officiating. Her consistent willingness to correct calls highlighted the fallibility of human line judges and contributed to the push for electronic line-calling systems. The current widespread adoption of Hawk-Eye can trace some of its philosophical roots to the demand for accuracy that Evert’s integrity championed. She never argued that the system was unfair—only that it should be correct. By modeling that attitude, she helped create an environment where technological improvements were welcomed rather than resisted. In a 2006 interview with ESPN, she said, “If a machine can make the right call every time, why wouldn’t we want that? The truth is the most important thing.” Her support for technology ensured that the transition from human to electronic line calling was seen as a positive step for fairness.

Mentorship and the Next Generation

Evert now runs the Evert Tennis Academy, where she personally instills her values in young athletes. The academy’s curriculum places equal emphasis on tennis skills and character development. Students are required to attend sessions on sportsmanship, and they are encouraged to call their own faults during practice matches—a direct reflection of Evert’s own playing style. Several former academy students, including top-100 professionals, have credited this training with helping them navigate the pressures of the tour while maintaining their integrity. One notable protégé, Coco Gauff, has publicly stated that Evert’s mentorship influenced her own approach to fair play: “Chris taught me that you can be a fighter and still be a good sport. She showed me how to do it.”

Her influence extends beyond the academy. When rising star Coco Gauff faced a controversial moment at the 2023 French Open, Evert, commentating for ESPN, offered a calm analysis that praised Gauff’s decision to correct a call. “That’s what we need to see more of,” Evert said. “Tennis at its purest.” Such moments show that her legacy is not static—it continues to inform the ethical direction of the sport. As an analyst for ESPN and the Tennis Channel, Evert regularly highlights acts of sportsmanship, using her platform to reinforce the values she championed as a player.

Legacy and Recognition

Chris Evert’s commitment to fair play has been recognized beyond the WTA Sportsmanship Award. She received the International Tennis Federation’s Philippe Chatrier Award in 2008 for her contributions to the game, and the WTA renamed its Sportsmanship Award in her honor in 1995. The award criteria emphasize “the qualities of integrity, sportsmanship, and professionalism that Chris Evert displayed throughout her career,” making it one of the most prestigious accolades a player can earn. Past winners include Kim Clijsters, Roger Federer (ATP counterpart), and Iga Swiatek, all of whom have credited Evert as an inspiration.

In addition to these honors, Evert has used her platform as a television commentator and tennis ambassador to continue advocating for fair play. She frequently calls out poor sportsmanship on air, but always with constructive criticism, not ridicule. In her 2012 memoir Chrissie: My Own Story (co-written with Neil Amdur), she writes extensively about the importance of self-regulation: “The only thing you can control in a match is your own behavior. You decide whether you’ll be a credit to the sport or a liability.” This message resonates with players, fans, and officials alike.

Conclusion: A Legacy Beyond Titles

Chris Evert won 157 singles titles, spent 260 weeks as world No. 1, and reached the semifinals or better in 52 of the 56 Grand Slams she entered. Those statistics alone would secure her place among the all-time greats. But numbers do not capture the respect she earned from her peers, the trust she inspired in officials, and the love she generated among fans. Her greatest achievement may well be the standard of sportsmanship she established—one that asks every player to be honest, humble, and respectful, even when the stakes are highest.

As tennis continues to evolve with new technology, louder crowds, and bigger prize money, the need for a strong ethical foundation has never been greater. Chris Evert’s influence serves as that foundation. She proved that winning with integrity is not only possible but also sustainable. For decades to come, whenever a tennis player corrects a line call, shakes an opponent’s hand too warmly, or refuses to make an excuse, the spirit of Chris Evert will be present. That is the true measure of a legend.

For further reading, see the official WTA website for the history of the Sportsmanship Award, and The New York Times archives for contemporary coverage of Evert’s career. A detailed account of her life in tennis can also be found in the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Additionally, the Evert Tennis Academy website offers insights into how her philosophy is being passed on to the next generation.