Chris Evert carved her name into tennis history not only through her eighteen Grand Slam singles titles but through the rivalries that forced her to reach new heights. Her ability to thrive under pressure against the most talented and tenacious opponents of her era produced matches that remain benchmarks of competitive excellence. From the baseline battles against Martina Navratilova to the symbolic clashes with Billie Jean King, Evert’s most iconic rivalry matches defined a golden age of women’s tennis and continue to captivate fans decades later. This detailed breakdown examines those legendary contests, the players involved, and the lasting impact they left on the sport.

Major Rivalries in Chris Evert’s Career

Evert’s career spanned the 1970s and 1980s, a period of explosive growth for women’s tennis. She faced a rotating cast of champions whose contrasting styles and personalities created a rich tapestry of drama. Her rivalries were not merely head-to-head statistics; they were cultural events that drew massive television audiences and elevated the sport to mainstream prominence. Four rivalries stand out above the rest, with the Evert–Navratilova duel ranking among the greatest in all of sports.

Evert vs. Martina Navratilova: The Defining Rivalry

When fans talk about iconic tennis matchups, the Evert–Navratilova rivalry sits at the very top. They met 80 times in professional matches — more than any other pair in tennis history — with Navratilova holding a 43–37 edge. Their games could not have been more different: Evert’s two-handed backhand and unerring baseline consistency against Navratilova’s serve-and-volley attack and athleticism. That stylistic tension produced matches that felt like chess matches played at high speed, each player probing for the smallest weakness.

The rivalry began in earnest in the late 1970s, when Navratilova was still developing her net game and Evert was already a two-time Wimbledon champion. Over the next decade, they faced each other in fourteen Grand Slam finals, with Navratilova winning nine of those. But the numbers only tell part of the story. The matches themselves were frequently tight, filled with momentum shifts, and often decided by a handful of points. Below are some of the most iconic encounters from this legendary series.

The 1985 Wimbledon Final: Navratilova Completes Her Dominance

By 1985, Navratilova was at the peak of her powers, having won five consecutive major titles. Evert, despite being two years older, was still a formidable opponent and desperately wanted one more Wimbledon crown. The final at the All England Club was a high-quality affair played on a slippery grass court. Navratilova took the first set 6–4, then Evert fought back to claim the second 6–3, using her deep returns to force Navratilova into awkward volleys. The deciding set saw Navratilova raise her level, breaking Evert twice to win 6–2. That victory gave Navratilova her sixth Wimbledon singles title and marked Evert’s last appearance in a Wimbledon final. The match is remembered for the grace both women showed afterward, hugging at the net in a moment that symbolized the respect at the heart of their rivalry.

The 1984 U.S. Open Final: An Epic of Endurance

Often cited as one of the greatest women’s matches ever played, the 1984 U.S. Open final pitted Navratilova’s winning streak — she had won 56 consecutive matches — against Evert’s determination to defend her title. The match went the full three sets, with the first set alone featuring nine break points. Navratilova took it 6–4 after a furious exchange of baseline rallies. Evert responded by dictating play in the second set, winning 6–4 with her trademark two-handed backhand down the line. The final set was a brutal war of attrition. Navratilova finally secured a break in the ninth game and served out the match, winning 7–5 in the third to complete a calendar-year Grand Slam of major titles. Despite the loss, Evert’s grit in this match — she saved break points in almost every service game — reinforced her reputation as the ultimate competitor.

The 1979 WTA Tour Championships: Evert’s Strategic Masterpiece

In November 1979, Evert and Navratilova met in the final of the WTA Tour Championships in New York, with both players having enjoyed stellar seasons. Evert had recently changed her training regimen to improve her fitness after losing to Navratilova in several key matches. That preparation paid off in a three-set thriller that showcased Evert’s tactical acuity. She opened with a 6–3 first set, using heavy topspin to keep Navratilova pinned behind the baseline. Navratilova adjusted and won the second set 6–3, serving and volleying with precision. The decisive set was a mental chess match. Evert began hitting her groundstrokes with more angle, pulling Navratilova wide and then hitting down the opposite line. She broke serve in the sixth game and held on to win 6–3, 3–6, 6–3. The match demonstrated that Evert could outthink the more powerful Navratilova, a lesson she would apply in future clashes.

1981 Australian Open Final: Evert’s Resilience Down Under

The 1981 Australian Open final was played on grass at Kooyong, and both players were dealing with the intense heat. Navratilova came out aggressively, winning the first set 6–4. Evert, rather than retreat to her baseline, began attacking Navratilova’s second serve — a risky strategy that paid off. She broke serve three times in the second set to take it 6–2. In the third set, Evert’s consistency forced Navratilova into uncharacteristic errors. Evert closed out the match 6–2, 6–2 in the final set, a victory that gave her a third Australian Open title and proved she could win even when Navratilova was at her most dangerous.

1980 Wimbledon Quarterfinal: The Rain-Delayed Classic

Not every iconic Evert–Navratilova match was a final. The 1980 Wimbledon quarterfinal was played over two days due to rain, adding an extra layer of drama. Evert had not lost to Navratilova on grass in four years, but Navratilova was playing the best tennis of her career. The match featured incredible rallies, with both players trading winners from every part of the court. Evert saved a match point in the fourth set with a daring backhand cross-court pass. She eventually won 6–3, 4–6, 6–4, 6–4 in a match that stretched nearly three hours. This contest is often cited by tennis historians as the moment when the rivalry truly became a battle for the ages.

Evert vs. Billie Jean King: The Torchbearers’ Clash

Before Navratilova became Evert’s primary rival, Billie Jean King was the established champion. King, older by eleven years, had already won ten Wimbledon titles by the time Evert emerged. Their rivalry was not as extensive as the one with Navratilova — they met 40 times, with Evert leading 21–13 — but it was deeply significant for the game. King represented the pioneering generation that fought for equal prize money and professional tour stability; Evert represented the new wave of players who benefited from that fight. Their matches often carried the weight of that passing of the torch.

The most iconic match between Evert and King came in the semifinals of the 1973 WTA Championships. King was the defending champion and had the crowd on her side at the Los Angeles Forum. The match went three sets, with King using her serve-and-volley game to take the first set 6–4. Evert adjusted, hitting lobs and passing shots to neutralize King’s net rushes, and won the second set 6–3. The third set is remembered for a controversial line call that briefly stopped play. Evert stayed focused, broke King’s serve in the eighth game, and served out a 4–6, 6–3, 6–4 victory. After the match, King praised Evert’s composure, calling her “the coolest competitor I’ve ever faced.” That match solidified Evert’s place as the heir apparent to King’s throne.

Another memorable encounter was the 1971 U.S. Open semifinal, where a 16-year-old Evert faced a 27-year-old King for the first time. Evert had captured the nation’s imagination with her run to the semifinals, and the match was highly anticipated. King, playing on her home hard court, was expected to win easily. But Evert’s depth of shot and refusal to make errors pushed King to the limit. King eventually prevailed 6–4, 7–6, but afterward she told reporters that Evert would be “the next great champion.” That match was the beginning of a rivalry that would span two decades.

Evert vs. Evonne Goolagong: Grace and Grit

Evonne Goolagong was Evert’s foil in the early 1970s. The Australian possessed extraordinary movement and a fluid, creative game that contrasted with Evert’s mechanical precision. They met 33 times, with Evert leading 22–11, but several of their matches were of the highest quality.

The 1974 Wimbledon final is the most famous edition of this rivalry. Goolagong had beaten Evert in the 1973 Australian Open final, but on the grass of the All England Club, Evert was the favorite. She played nearly flawless tennis in the first set, winning 6–0 in 20 minutes — a display of such dominance that the BBC announcer called it “the finest set of women’s tennis ever seen at Wimbledon.” Goolagong recovered in the second set, using her trademark drop shots to unsettle Evert, but Evert broke back at 4–4 and served out the match 6–0, 6–4. That victory gave Evert her first Wimbledon singles title and announced her as a champion on the sport’s biggest stage.

The 1976 Wimbledon final was even more dramatic. Goolagong had beaten Evert earlier that year in the semi-finals of the Australian Championships, and both players were in peak form. The match featured extended baseline rallies, stunning gets, and a third set that went to 6–6 before Evert finally broke the deadlock. She won 6–3, 4–6, 8–6 in a match that lasted over two and a half hours. The quality was so high that tennis writer Bud Collins later ranked it among the top ten women’s matches of all time.

Evert vs. Hana Mandlikova: The Clash of Generations

Hana Mandlikova burst onto the scene in the early 1980s with a brilliant serve-and-volley game that troubled even the best players. Mandlikova beat Evert in two of their first three meetings, but Evert adjusted and went on to lead their series 18–7. Their most iconic match was the 1980 U.S. Open semifinal, where a 17-year-old Mandlikova took the first set 6–4 by attacking Evert’s second serve relentlessly. Evert, refusing to be intimidated, began chipping her returns low to Mandlikova’s feet, forcing her to hit up on her volleys. Evert won the next two sets 6–1, 6–1, a turnaround that showcased her ability to solve any puzzle mid-match.

The 1985 Australian Open final was another classic. Mandlikova, playing with tremendous confidence, outplayed Evert in the first set 6–3. Evert, now 30 years old, used her experience to slow the pace and force Mandlikova into errors. She won the second set 6–3 after a string of unforced errors from Mandlikova. The third set was a tense affair, with neither player able to hold serve consistently until Evert broke for 5–4 and served out the match. That victory gave Evert her sixth Australian Open title and was her 157th and last Grand Slam match win.

The Enduring Impact of Those Rivalries

Chris Evert’s rivalries did more than determine who would lift trophies; they shaped the very fabric of women’s tennis. The Evert–Navratilova rivalry, in particular, became a global phenomenon. Television ratings for their matches soared, and their contrasting personalities — Evert the unflappable baseline queen, Navratilova the athletic net charger — made every match a compelling narrative. The rivalry also pushed both players to improve. Evert added more topspin and took the ball earlier to counter Navratilova’s volleys; Navratilova improved her footwork and fitness to handle Evert’s relentless groundstrokes.

The impact extended beyond the court. Their matches inspired a generation of young players, including future stars like Steffi Graf and Martina Hingis, who have cited the rivalry as a golden era they sought to emulate. The coverage of their clashes also helped boost the profile of the WTA Tour, leading to increased sponsorship and prize money. When Evert and Navratilova faced each other in the 1985 Wimbledon final, the match attracted an estimated 30 million viewers worldwide — a number that would be impressive even by today’s standards.

The rivalry with Billie Jean King had its own special significance. By competing against King, Evert effectively carried the torch of equality and professionalism that King had fought to establish. Their matches were often played in front of packed stadiums that included activists and media figures, further cementing tennis as a sport that embraced social change. Evert’s sportsmanship and grace in her matches with King — and later with Navratilova — set a standard for how rivals should treat each other, both during and after competition.

Finally, the rivalries with Goolagong and Mandlikova demonstrated Evert’s adaptability. She could win on grass, clay, and hard courts, against players of wildly different styles. That versatility, honed through countless battles, made her a champion for all surfaces and all seasons.

Conclusion

Chris Evert’s most iconic rivalry matches remain essential viewing for any tennis fan who wants to understand what made the sport great in the 1970s and 1980s. Whether she was trading cross-court backhands with Navratilova in a five-set epic at Wimbledon, outlasting King in a dramatic three-setter at the WTA Championships, or battling the graceful Goolagong in a marathon final, Evert brought a level of concentration and shot-making that few have ever matched. Her rivalries elevated each opponent’s game and, in the process, elevated women’s tennis to new heights. The moments they created — the match points saved, the breaks of serve under pressure, the handshakes at the net — remain etched in the sport’s collective memory, a enduring tribute to the era’s greatness and to the champion who fueled it all.

For those looking for deeper context, the WTA’s official features on Chris Evert offer extensive match archives and interviews, while historians at the International Tennis Hall of Fame provide detailed analysis of her rivalry matches. These resources illuminate just how fully Evert’s battles defined the sport’s most competitive and compelling era.