Early Breakthrough: The 1973 French Open

In 1973, an 18‑year‑old Chris Evert announced herself to the world by winning her first Grand Slam title at the French Open. Seeded second, she entered the tournament with an impressive 21‑match winning streak on clay. Her path to the final included a straight‑sets victory over Evonne Goolagong in the quarterfinals and a hard‑fought semifinal win against Lesley Hunt. In the championship match, Evert faced the defending champion and world No. 1, Margaret Court. Evert’s game—characterised by relentless baseline consistency, pinpoint accuracy, and the iconic two‑handed backhand—proved too much for the powerful Australian. She won 6–7, 7–6, 6–4, saving a match point in the second set. This victory not only gave Evert her first major title but also ended Court’s streak of winning 17 consecutive Grand Slams in which she had participated.

The 1973 French Open was more than a title; it was a statement. Evert’s ability to absorb Court’s pace and redirect it with precision showcased a tactical maturity rare for a teenager. The match also demonstrated her trademark composure under pressure, a quality that would define her throughout the decade. Evert’s two‑handed backhand, still a novelty at the time, gave her extra stability and spin on the slow clay, allowing her to neutralise Court’s serve. Analysts noted that Evert’s return of serve was among the best in the game—her low‑to‑the‑ground chip returns forced Court to volley upward, a tactical edge that proved decisive. For a deeper look at this historic final and its statistical context, see the Tennis.com analysis. The match also introduced the tennis world to a new baseline paradigm—consistent, unyielding, and tactically flexible—that Evert would refine throughout the decade.

The Two‑Handed Backhand Revolution

Evert’s two‑handed backhand was not merely a personal strength—it reshaped the technical landscape of women’s tennis. Before Evert, most players used a one‑handed backhand, which offered more reach but less stability against heavy topspin. Evert, guided by her father Jimmy, adopted a two‑fisted grip that provided superior control and disguised changes of direction. Throughout the 1970s, she turned this shot into a lethal weapon, hitting passing shots with topspin that dipped low over the net and forced opponents to lunge or volley upward. Her ability to redirect the ball cross‑court or down the line with equal effectiveness made her nearly impossible to out‑rally from the baseline. This innovation inspired a generation of future champions, from Martina Hingis to Serena Williams, who would rely on double‑handed backhands as a foundation of their games. For more on the evolution of the two‑handed backhand, visit the WTA profile of Chris Evert.

Evert’s two‑handed backhand also forced a tactical shift among her opponents. Players like Martina Navratilova and Billie Jean King had to develop more creative serve‑and‑volley patterns to avoid getting pinned in baseline rallies. The shot’s versatility—Evert could hit it with topspin, slice, or flat—made her unpredictable from the backhand side. She could also use the two‑handed grip to hit sharply angled cross‑court winners or go down the line with equal authority. This technical breakthrough, combined with Evert’s relentless footwork, turned the baseline into a fortress. By the end of the 1970s, the two‑handed backhand had become a standard element of junior coaching programs worldwide, a direct legacy of Evert’s innovation.

Rivalry Ignites: Evert vs. Navratilova in the Late 1970s

The most iconic rivalry in women’s tennis, Chris Evert versus Martina Navratilova, began to take shape in the mid‑1970s. Their contrasting styles—Evert’s impeccable baseline steadiness against Navratilova’s serve‑and‑volley aggression—produced a series of unforgettable matches that captivated the sport. The rivalry reached new heights in the late 1970s, with several key encounters that each player would remember for decades.

1978 US Open Final

One of the turning points came at the 1978 US Open. Navratilova had defeated Evert in the semifinals of Wimbledon earlier that year, but on the hard courts of Forest Hills, Evert reclaimed the upper hand. In a grueling three‑set match, Evert won 7–5, 6–4, using her court coverage and ability to change direction to frustrate Navratilova’s attacking game. This victory gave Evert her fourth US Open title and extended her head‑to‑head lead over Navratilova to 20–7. The match highlighted Evert’s adaptability—she could beat Navratilova not only on her beloved clay but also on faster surfaces. Evert’s return of serve was particularly effective; she consistently chipped the ball low to Navratilova’s feet, robbing her of time to set up her volleys. The win also demonstrated Evert’s ability to raise her level in big moments, as she broke Navratilova three times in the final set.

The 1978 final also showcased Evert’s evolving tactical awareness. She deliberately varied the depth of her groundstrokes, keeping Navratilova guessing and preventing her from establishing a rhythm at the net. Evert’s footwork was exceptional—she seemed to glide across the baseline, always in position to neutralise Navratilova’s angled volleys. This match was a masterclass in defensive‑to‑offensive transitions, as Evert repeatedly turned Navratilova’s aggressive shots into opportunities for her own passing winners.

1979 Wimbledon Final

The 1979 Wimbledon final marked a significant shift in the rivalry. Navratilova, now fully comfortable on grass, played perhaps the best match of her career to that point, defeating Evert 6–4, 6–4. Although Evert lost, the match was a showcase of the highest quality women’s tennis. It demonstrated that the rivalry had become a battle of two complete athletes, each capable of dominating the other on any given day. The defeat also spurred Evert to further refine her game, adding more variety to her shots to counter Navratilova’s net play. In particular, Evert began incorporating more slice and drop shots into her repertoire, recognising that pure baseline consistency was no longer enough. For detailed match statistics and historical context, visit the WTA profile of Chris Evert.

The 1979 final also highlighted the psychological dimension of the rivalry. Navratilova entered the match with renewed confidence after working with her new coach, and she attacked Evert’s second serve with exceptional aggression. Evert, in turn, tried to slow the pace with deep, heavy topspin to disrupt Navratilova’s timing. The match featured multiple extended rallies, with both players pushing each other to physical exhaustion. Though Evert lost, the contest elevated the rivalry to new heights, setting the stage for their epic battles in the 1980s.

The 1975 Wimbledon Final: A Defining Loss

Even in defeat, Chris Evert turned matches into defining moments. The 1975 Wimbledon final against Billie Jean King is a perfect example. Evert, seeded second, was attempting to win her first Wimbledon title. King, then 31 years old, used her vast experience and superior volleying to win 6–0, 6–1 in a surprisingly lopsided scoreline. Yet the match was actually closer than the numbers suggest—several games went to deuce, and Evert had break points that she could not convert. Despite the loss, the final demonstrated Evert’s willingness to fight for every point and her resilience in the face of a masterclass from a legend. It also highlighted the gap she needed to close on grass, a surface that did not naturally suit her grinding baseline style. That defeat motivated Evert to work on her net game and return of serve, leading to her eventual Wimbledon triumph in 1976. The 1975 final also marked a turning point in Evert’s tactical development; she began to understand that variability in pace and direction was essential against attacking players.

The loss also forced Evert to reconsider her approach to surface preparation. She spent the following months playing more exhibition matches on grass, practicing serve‑and‑volley patterns, and working on her overhead. King’s performance in that final—charging the net at every opportunity—became a template that Evert would study and eventually overcome. The 1975 final is often cited as the match that taught Evert the value of strategic adaptation, a lesson that would serve her well through the remainder of her career.

Key Defining Moments in the Mid‑1970s

Several other matches in the 1970s cemented Chris Evert’s reputation as a champion who could rise to any occasion.

1974 French Open Final: Clay Court Dominance

After her 1973 breakthrough, Evert returned to Roland Garros in 1974 and successfully defended her title. In the final she faced Olga Morozova, a talented Russian with a strong net game. Evert’s baseline consistency was overwhelming; she won 6–1, 6–2 in just 68 minutes. This victory marked the beginning of her incredible run of seven French Open titles, establishing her as the queen of clay. It also underscored her ability to maintain peak form under the pressure of defending a major title. The match was a masterclass in neutralising an aggressive opponent; Evert’s depth and angle control forced Morozova to hit from awkward positions, leading to numerous errors. Evert’s footwork on clay was particularly noteworthy—she slid into position with fluid ease, always balanced and ready to attack. The 1974 final also showcased Evert’s improved serve, which she used to set up short balls that she could then punish with her backhand down the line.

1976 US Open Semifinal: Resilience Against King

At the 1976 US Open, Evert met Billie Jean King in a three‑set semifinal that many consider one of the best matches of the decade. King, still a formidable opponent, pushed Evert to the limit with aggressive serve‑and‑volley tactics. Evert saved multiple break points in the third set and eventually prevailed 6–3, 4–6, 6–3. The match demonstrated Evert’s tactical flexibility—she began chipping her returns low to King’s feet to neutralise the net rushes. It was a turning point: from then on, Evert’s record against King became one‑sided, and she never lost to King again in a Grand Slam. This contest also showcased Evert’s psychological strength, as she refused to panic after losing the second set. The crowd at Forest Hills was firmly behind King, yet Evert maintained her composure, focusing on each point with mechanical precision. Her ability to raise her level in the deciding set—winning five of the final six games—was a hallmark of her mental toughness.

1978 WTA Tour Finals: Year‑End Championship

The 1978 WTA Tour Finals (then known as the Virginia Slims Championship) crowned the best player of the season. Evert entered the tournament as the world No. 1 and faced stiff competition from Navratilova, Tracy Austin, and Pam Shriver. In the final, Evert defeated Navratilova 6–3, 6–3 in a masterclass of controlled aggression. This victory gave Evert her first year‑end championship title and cemented her status as the dominant force of the late 1970s. The match also showed that Evert could beat Navratilova at her own game—dictating rallies with depth and angle, and approaching the net herself when necessary. Evert won 72% of her first‑serve points and committed only 12 unforced errors, a testament to her efficiency under pressure. The 1978 Tour Final was also significant for its surface—indoor carpet, which theoretically favoured Navratilova’s attacking style. Evert’s ability to adapt her game to neutralise Navratilova’s advantage underscored her tactical intelligence.

Additional Milestones: The 1971 US Open and 1976 Wimbledon

No discussion of Chris Evert’s 1970s matches would be complete without mentioning her first Grand Slam final appearance. In 1971, at just 16 years old, Evert stunned the tennis world by reaching the US Open final. Though she lost to Billie Jean King 6–4, 7–6, the tournament introduced her to a global audience and announced the arrival of a new star. Evert’s run included a memorable semifinal victory over eighth‑seeded Rosie Casals. The final itself was a showcase of contrasting styles: King’s attacking game versus Evert’s defensive resilience. Evert saved two set points in the second set and pushed King to a tie‑break, demonstrating a competitive maturity that belied her age. The 1971 US Open also marked the first time the American public saw Evert’s two‑handed backhand in a high‑stakes match, and the shot immediately drew comparisons to the greats of the game. Analysts predicted a bright future, and they were right.

Then came the 1976 Wimbledon final, where Evert finally captured the title that had eluded her the year before. Facing Evonne Goolagong, Evert played a near‑flawless match to win 6–3, 4–6, 8–6. The match was punctuated by a thrilling third set in which both players broke each other multiple times. Evert’s victory made her only the third woman in the Open Era to complete a career Grand Slam, and it proved that her mental strength could overcome any surface disadvantage. Goolagong’s graceful movement and powerful serve had troubled Evert in earlier encounters, but on this day Evert’s consistency and tactical variety—mixing deep groundstrokes with short angles—kept the Australian off balance. For an in‑depth breakdown of the 1976 final, refer to BBC Sport’s retrospective. The match also featured one of the most dramatic momentum shifts in Wimbledon history: Goolagong had served for the match at 5–4 in the third set, only to have Evert break back and then dominate the final three games.

Tactical Evolution: Adapting to a Changing Game

Throughout the 1970s, Evert demonstrated a remarkable ability to evolve her game in response to new challenges. After her early success on clay, she faced the challenge of adapting to faster surfaces like grass and hard courts. Evert’s training regimen under her father Jimmy emphasised footwork, balance, and shot selection. She developed a compact serve that allowed her to dictate points more effectively on faster surfaces, and she worked tirelessly on her return of serve—one of the most underrated aspects of her game. Evert’s ability to read an opponent’s serve and redirect it with precision made her one of the best returners in the history of the sport. By the late 1970s, she had also added a reliable slice backhand to her arsenal, giving her another tool to disrupt opponents’ rhythm. This tactical evolution ensured that Evert remained competitive even as the women’s game grew more athletic and aggressive.

Evert also became a student of match psychology. She studied her opponents’ tendencies, noting their preferred patterns and pressure points. Her famous composure—often described as an icy calm—was the result of rigorous mental preparation. Evert would visualise points before they happened, preparing responses to every possible scenario. This mental edge, combined with her technical foundation, allowed her to win matches that seemed lost. Her ability to save break points at crucial moments was statistically remarkable—she converted or saved key points at a rate that far exceeded her peers. Evert’s tactical evolution was not about reinventing her game; it was about refining it to a level of near-perfection.

Legacy of the 1970s Matches

The matches Chris Evert played in the 1970s did more than fill a trophy cabinet—they fundamentally changed how women’s tennis was played and perceived. Evert’s relentless baseline game, anchored by her two‑handed backhand, forced opponents to construct points with greater care and patience. She elevated consistency to an art form, and her ability to out‑think opponents in high‑pressure situations became a template for generations of players to follow.

Her rivalries with Navratilova and King became the sport’s first truly global narrative, drawing fans to television sets and stadiums worldwide. The 1970s also saw Evert prove that a player could excel on multiple surfaces, winning Wimbledon, the US Open, and the French Open multiple times. More than statistics, her matches embodied the values of sportsmanship, determination, and elite mental toughness. As a result, Chris Evert’s decade‑defining encounters remain essential viewing for anyone who wants to understand the true DNA of tennis greatness. Her influence extended beyond the court: the two‑handed backhand she popularised became a staple of junior coaching, and her unwavering focus inspired countless young athletes.

For further reading on how these matches shaped the modern game, visit the International Tennis Hall of Fame profile and an excellent Guardian retrospective. Each of these matches contributed to a legacy that continues to inspire players, fans, and analysts alike. Evert’s 1970s matches were not just victories; they were lessons in tactical intelligence, emotional resilience, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.