Introduction: The Player Who Redefined Women's Tennis

When Chris Evert stepped onto the tennis court in the early 1970s, women's tennis was still finding its commercial and cultural footing. The sport had its stars—Billie Jean King and Margaret Court among them—but it lacked the massive television audiences, sponsorship dollars, and global fan base that would define later eras. By the time Evert retired in 1989, she had not only amassed 18 Grand Slam singles titles and a record 260 weeks at world No. 1; she had fundamentally reshaped how the game was played and perceived. Her combination of relentless baseline consistency, a revolutionary two-handed backhand, and a steely on-court demeanor set a new technical and mental standard for women's tennis. More than that, her popularity helped catapult the sport into the mainstream, paving the way for the million-dollar endorsements and global tours that players enjoy today. This article explores how Chris Evert's career in the 1970s transformed women's tennis from a niche pastime into a dynamic, widely respected professional sport.

Early Life and Rise to Prominence

Childhood and Junior Career

Christine Marie Evert was born on December 21, 1954, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Tennis ran in her blood—her father, Jimmy Evert, was a respected teaching professional who coached at the public courts of Holiday Park. He began teaching Chris and her younger sister, Jeanne, when they were barely old enough to hold a racket. By age 9, Chris was already dominating local junior tournaments. Her father emphasized discipline, footwork, and relentless practice; he forbade her from playing in any tournament that required overnight travel until she turned 12, ensuring she developed a solid foundation.

At 14, Evert won the National Girls’ 16s championship, and at 15 she defeated the reigning U.S. Open champion, Margaret Court, in an exhibition match. That performance caught the attention of tennis insiders and set the stage for a meteoric rise. In 1970, at age 15, Evert made her debut at the U.S. Open, reaching the semifinals as an amateur—the youngest player to do so in tournament history. She lost to Court in a tough three-set match, but her poise under pressure and ability to trade groundstrokes from the baseline stunned the tennis world.

Turning Professional and First Major Title

Evert turned professional in 1972 at age 17. She quickly proved that her junior success was no fluke. In 1973, she won her first major singles title at the French Open, defeating 19-year-old Martina Navratilova in the final. It was the beginning of one of the greatest rivalries in sports history, but more immediately, it announced Evert as a force to be reckoned with. That same year, she led the United States to victory in the Federation Cup and posted a match record of 62–4. Her steady, almost robotic precision earned her the nickname "Ice Queen" from the British press—a label she wore with a mix of amusement and pride.

The Revolutionary Playing Style

The Two-Handed Backhand Revolution

Perhaps no single technique changed women's tennis more than Chris Evert's two-handed backhand. Until the late 1960s, almost every professional player used a one-handed backhand, which requires greater timing and arm strength. Evert, lacking the raw power of contemporaries like Billie Jean King or Margaret Court, developed a two-handed backhand that offered superior control, spin, and stability—especially on high-bouncing balls. She could hit it with topspin down the line or crosscourt with uncanny accuracy, often forcing opponents out of position without ever swinging wildly.

While the two-handed backhand had been used sporadically before—most notably by Pancho Segura in the 1940s—Evert was the first female player to make it the centerpiece of a Grand Slam–winning game. Her success inspired a generation of young players to adopt the shot. Today, the vast majority of professional women (and many men) use a two-handed backhand, a direct legacy of Evert's example. The WTA notes that her backhand was often called the best in the history of the sport, a reputation that has only grown with time.

Baseline Dominance and Mental Fortitude

Evert's game was built on the baseline. In an era when serve-and-volley tactics were common—especially on faster surfaces like grass and carpet—Evert stayed back, trading groundstrokes until her opponent made an error. She rarely came to net unless she had a sure winner. This approach required extraordinary fitness and concentration. Her ability to hit deep, consistent shots with little risk forced opponents to attempt lower-percentage winners, leading to unforced errors.

Beyond technique, Evert possessed a mental toughness that became legendary. She rarely showed emotion on court—no fist pumps, no angry glances at her box. This stoic demeanor unnerved opponents who thrived on intimidation. "When you play Chris, you feel like you're playing a machine," Tennis Magazine quoted Martina Navratilova once saying. Evert’s ability to focus during pressure points and to rally back from deficits made her nearly unbeatable on clay, where long rallies tested patience. She lost only seven times in her entire career on the red dirt, an unthinkable record that still stands.

Grand Slam Success and Record-Breaking Career

Dominance on Clay

Evert's supremacy on clay is one of the greatest statistical achievements in sports history. She won the French Open seven times—a record for a male or female player at the time—and made the final there nine consecutive years from 1973 to 1981. Her clay-court winning percentage was an astonishing 96.5%. The key was her sliding footwork, which allowed her to change direction quickly, and her ability to keep the ball deep and spinning, forcing opponents into awkward positions. On slow clay, her consistency was almost impossible to overcome. The French Open's Philippe Chatrier Court, where she hoisted the trophy so many times, became her personal stage.

Rivalry with Martina Navratilova

No discussion of Evert's career is complete without the rivalry with Martina Navratilova. They faced each other 80 times in professional matches—a record for any tennis rivalry—with Navratilova winning 43 and Evert 37. Their contrasting styles created a perfect tension: the aggressive serve-and-volley lefty versus the impassive baseline righty. The rivalry peaked between 1978 and 1985, when they met in 14 Grand Slam finals. Evert won eight of those meetings in majors, including four at the French Open and three at the U.S. Open.

The Evert–Navratilova rivalry elevated women's tennis to new levels of public interest. Their matches were broadcast in prime time, drawing millions of viewers. They pushed each other to improve—Navratilova famously altered her fitness and diet after Evert's consistency exposed her weaknesses—and together they dominated an entire decade. Sports Illustrated once called it "the greatest rivalry in the history of sports," noting that it transcended tennis and became a cultural touchstone.

Career Statistics and Accolades

Evert's record is staggering: 18 Grand Slam singles titles (seven French Open, six U.S. Open, three Wimbledon, two Australian Open), 260 weeks at world No. 1, and a career winning percentage of .900 (1,309 wins, 146 losses). She won at least one Grand Slam singles title for 13 consecutive years (1974–1986). She was the first player—male or female—to win 1,000 singles matches. Her 157 consecutive weeks at No. 1 from 1975 to 1978 stands as one of the longest streaks in WTA history. In 1974, she won 55 consecutive matches, a record for the Open era. These numbers are not just impressive; they represent a level of sustained excellence that few athletes in any sport have achieved.

Impact on Women's Tennis in the 1970s

Elevating the Sport's Profile

When Evert arrived on the scene, women's tennis was struggling for visibility. The 1970 "Battle of the Sexes" match had garnered attention, but the day-to-day professional tour lacked consistent media coverage. Evert changed that. Her combination of clean-cut good looks, Midwestern-friendly demeanor (despite being from Florida), and on-court brilliance made her a perfect media figure. She appeared on the covers of Time, Newsweek, and Sports Illustrated multiple times. Television networks began scheduling more women's matches in prime time, especially her finals with Navratilova.

Evert's appeal extended beyond hardcore tennis fans. She was relatable—she admitted she had pre-match jitters, she wore simple white dresses (often without sponsorship logos in the early years), and she played with a straightforward, no-nonsense style that fans could understand. By the end of the 1970s, women's tennis had become a mainstream sport, and Evert was its biggest star. Sponsorship dollars poured in, and the WTA Tour was able to secure larger prize purses, directly benefiting all players.

Advocacy for Equal Prize Money

Evert was not an overt activist like Billie Jean King, but she used her influence to push for equality. She supported the fight for equal prize money at the U.S. Open, which finally came in 1973. In the years that followed, she frequently spoke out about the need for fair compensation for women players. Her willingness to discuss the issue in interviews and press conferences helped keep the conversation in the public eye. As the most successful and visible player, her endorsement carried weight.

Additionally, Evert served as president of the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) in the late 1970s, working behind the scenes to negotiate better TV deals and tournament conditions. She understood that her own success was tied to the health of the tour, and she dedicated significant time to administrative duties. Tennis.com notes that her leadership helped stabilize the WTA during a period of rapid growth, ensuring that the gains of the 1970s were not lost.

Lasting Legacy

Influence on Future Generations

Every modern baseline player owes a debt to Chris Evert. Players like Steffi Graf, Martina Hingis, and even Serena Williams have cited Evert's consistency and mental strength as a model. Graf's dominant forehand and backhand slices mirrored Evert's ability to keep rallies neutral. Hingis's court sense and shot placement were directly inspired by watching Evert dissect opponents without overpowering them. Many current WTA players, from Iga Świątek to Coco Gauff, have mentioned studying Evert's movement and decision-making in interviews.

Evert's impact on technique is also visible. The two-handed backhand is now standard, but Evert popularized it at the highest level. Coaches around the world teach the shot using her mechanics: strong arm position, early shoulder turn, and a compact swing path. Her baseline style, once considered defensive, is now the default playing strategy for many top players, especially on slower surfaces.

Off-Court Contributions

Since retiring from competitive tennis in 1989, Evert has remained deeply involved in the sport. She served as a television analyst for NBC, CBS, ESPN, and Tennis Channel, providing insightful commentary that often referenced the strategic and mental aspects she mastered as a player. She also co-authored an autobiography, Chrissie: My Own Story, which remains a valuable resource for understanding the 1970s era.

In 1996, she founded the Evert Tennis Academy in Boca Raton, Florida, a facility that has trained hundreds of junior players, including several future Grand Slam champions. The academy emphasizes the fundamentals that defined her career: consistency, footwork, and mental toughness. She also remained active in charity work, particularly with the Chris Evert Charitable Fund, which supports children's health and education.

Perhaps most importantly, Evert used her platform to advocate for health awareness after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2003. She underwent successful treatment and has since spoken openly about early detection and survivorship, helping to destigmatize the disease. Her courage off the court has inspired many, cementing her status as a role model far beyond tennis.

Conclusion

Chris Evert did not simply win 18 Grand Slams; she transformed women's tennis from a niche activity into a global phenomenon. In the 1970s, when the sport needed a figure who could combine elite performance with broad appeal, Evert delivered. Her revolutionary two-handed backhand, relentless baseline game, and unshakable mental fortitude set a new standard for how women's tennis could be played. Off the court, her quiet advocacy for equal pay and her leadership within the WTA helped build the infrastructure that supports today's players. Her rivalry with Martina Navratilova produced some of the most exciting matches in sports history and captured the imagination of millions. Decades after her retirement, her influence persists in every student at the Evert Tennis Academy, every player who uses a two-handed backhand, and every young athlete who learns that consistency and discipline can defeat raw power. The 1970s belonged to Chris Evert—and in many ways, women's tennis has belonged to her ever since.