Evert–Navratilova rivalry
Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova are retired professional tennis players who engaged in an iconic rivalry for dominance in Women's tennis in the 1970s and 1980s. It is considered to be one of the greatest in Women's tennis history and in sports in general.[1][2][3][4]
In the 12 years from the introduction of the WTA rankings in November 1975 till August 1987, one of the two held the top spot in all but 23 weeks, switching multiple times between 1978 and 1985. In the first 615 weeks of the WTA rankings, they collectively held the No. 1 ranking for 592 weeks, Martina at 332 weeks and Chris at 260 weeks. In total, from 1973 to 1988 they played 80 matches, including 61 tournament finals.[1][5]
Starting at the 1981 Australian Open, through the 1985 Wimbledon, they won a record 15 consecutive grand slam singles titles. From the 1981 Australian Open to the 1987 US Open, they won 21 of those 24 grand slam singles titles and at least one of them appeared in each of those 24 consecutive grand slam finals. The only two players to win titles during that stretch were Hana Mandlikova (1985 US Open and 1987 Australian Open) and Steffi Graf (1987 French Open).
List of all matches
WTA, Fed Cup, and Grand Slam main draw results included.[6]
Martina Navratilova leads the head-to-head 43–37. Walkovers are not counted as official wins or losses.
Grand Slam finals
Tournament | 1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Australian Open | N | E | N | |||||||||
French Open | E | N | E | E | ||||||||
Wimbledon | N | N | N | N | N | |||||||
US Open | N | N |
Notes
- The Australian Open was held twice in 1977, in January and December.
Head-to-head breakdown
- All finals: Navratilova 36–25
- Grand Slam finals: Navratilova 10–4
- WTA Tour Championships finals: Navratilova 2–1
- Non-Grand Slam & Non-WTA Tour Championships finals: Navratilova 24–20
- Grand Slam matches: Navratilova 14–8
- Grand Slam semifinals: Tied 4–4
- Three-set matches: Evert 15–14
- Straight-set matches: Navratilova 29–22
Results on each surface
- Hard courts: Navratilova 9–8
- Clay courts: Evert 11–3
- Grass courts: Navratilova 10–5
- Carpet courts: Navratilova 21-13
Evert–Navratilova (37–43)
Legend |
Grand Slam |
Tour Championships |
Tier I Tournaments |
Tier II/III Tournaments |
Tier IV/V Tournaments |
No. | Date | Tournament and location | Surface | Round | Winner | Score |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | 1973 | Virginia Slims of Akron, U.S. | Carpet | R16 | Evert | 7–6, 6–3 |
2. | 1973 | Masters Invitational, U.S. | Clay | Semifinal | Evert | 7–5, 6–3 |
3. | 1973 | Virginia Slims of California, U.S. | Carpet | R32 | Evert | 6–7, 6–3, 6–1 |
4. | 1974 | Italian Open, Rome | Clay | Final | Evert | 6–3, 6–3 |
5. | 1975 | Virginia Slims of California, U.S. | Carpet (i) | Semifinal | Evert | 6–4, 6–3 |
6. | 1975 | Virginia Slims of Washington, U.S. | Carpet (i) | Quarterfinal | Navratilova | 3–6, 6–4, 7–6(7–4) |
7. | 1975 | Virginia Slims of Akron, U.S. | Carpet (i) | Quarterfinal | Evert | 6–3, 6–1 |
8. | 1975 | Virginia Slims of Chicago, U.S. | Carpet | Semifinal | Navratilova | 6–4, 6–0 |
9. | 1975 | Virginia Slims of Philadelphia, U.S. | Carpet (i) | Semifinal | Evert | 7–6, 6–4 |
10. | 1975 | Virginia Slims Championships, Los Angeles | Carpet | Final | Evert | 6–4, 6–2 |
11. | 1975 | Family Circle Cup, Amelia Island, Florida, U.S. | Clay | Final | Evert | 7–5, 6–4 |
12. | 1975 | Italian Open, Rome | Clay | Final | Evert | 6–1, 6–0 |
13. | 1975 | French Open, Paris | Clay | Final | Evert | 2–6, 6–2, 6–1 |
14. | 1975 | US Open, New York City | Clay | Semifinal | Evert | 6–4, 6–4 |
15. | 1975 | Atlanta, U.S. | Hard (i) | Final | Evert | 2–6, 6–2, 6–0 |
16. | 1976 | L'Eggs World Series, Austin, Texas, U.S. | Hard | Semifinal | Evert | 6–0, 6–3 |
17. | 1976 | Virginia Slims of Houston, U.S. | Carpet (i) | Final | Navratilova | 6–3, 6–4 |
18. | 1976 | Wimbledon, London | Grass | Semifinal | Evert | 6–3, 4–6, 6–4 |
19. | 1977 | Virginia Slims of Washington, U.S. | Carpet (i) | Final | Navratilova | 6–2, 6–3 |
20. | 1977 | Virginia Slims of Seattle, U.S. | Carpet | Final | Evert | 6–2, 6–4 |
21. | 1977 | Virginia Slims of Los Angeles, U.S. | Carpet (i) | Final | Evert | 6–2, 2–6, 6–1 |
22. | 1977 | Virginia Slims of Philadelphia, U.S. | Carpet (i) | Final | Evert | 6–4, 4–6, 6–3 |
23. | 1977 | Tucson, U.S. | Hard (i) | Final | Evert | 6–3, 7–6 |
24. | 1977 | Palm Springs, U.S. | Hard | Final | Evert | 6–4, 6–1 |
25. | 1978 | Lion's Cup, Tokyo, Japan | Carpet (i) | Final | Evert | 7–5, 6–2 |
26. | 1978 | Eastbourne, United Kingdom | Grass | Final | Navratilova | 6–4, 4–6, 9–7 |
27. | 1978 | Wimbledon, London | Grass | Final | Navratilova | 2–6, 6–4, 7–5 |
28. | 1978 | Atlanta, U.S. | Carpet | Final | Evert | 7–6, 0–6, 6–3 |
29. | 1978 | Palm Springs, U.S. | Hard | Final | Evert | 6–3, 6–3 |
30. | 1979 | Virginia Slims of California, U.S. | Carpet | Final | Navratilova | 7–5, 7–5 |
31. | 1979 | Virginia Slims of Los Angeles, U.S. | Carpet (i) | Final | Evert | 6–3, 6–4 |
32. | 1979 | Virginia Slims of Dallas, U.S. | Carpet | Final | Navratilova | 6–4, 6–4 |
33. | 1979 | Eastbourne, United Kingdom | Grass | Final | Evert | 7–5, 5–7, 13–11 |
34. | 1979 | Wimbledon, London | Grass | Final | Navratilova | 6–4, 6–4 |
35. | 1979 | Virginia Slims of Phoenix, U.S. | Hard | Final | Navratilova | 6–1, 6–3 |
36. | 1979 | Brighton, United Kingdom | Carpet | Final | Navratilova | 6–3, 6–3 |
37. | 1980 | Virginia Slims of Chicago, U.S. | Carpet | Final | Navratilova | 6–4, 6–4 |
38. | 1980 | Wimbledon, London | Grass | Semifinal | Evert | 4–6, 6–4, 6–2 |
39. | 1980 | Brighton, United Kingdom | Carpet | Final | Evert | 6–4, 5–7, 6–3 |
40. | 1980 | Lion's Cup, Tokyo, Japan | Carpet | Semifinal | Navratilova | 7–6, 6–2 |
41. | 1981 | Amelia Island Championships, U.S. | Clay | Final | Evert | 6–0, 6–0 |
42. | 1981 | US Open, New York City | Hard | Semifinal | Navratilova | 7–5, 4–6, 6–4 |
43. | 1981 | Lion's Cup, Tokyo, Japan | Carpet | Final | Navratilova | 6–3, 6–2 |
44. | 1981 | Sydney, Australia | Grass | Final | Evert | 6–4, 2–6, 6–1 |
45. | 1981 | Australian Open, Melbourne | Grass | Final | Navratilova | 6–7, 6–4, 7–5 |
46. | 1982 | Wimbledon, London | Grass | Final | Navratilova | 6–1, 3–6, 6–2 |
47. | 1982 | Brighton, United Kingdom | Carpet | Final | Navratilova | 6–1, 6–4 |
48. | 1982 | Australian Open, Melbourne | Grass | Final | Evert | 6–3, 2–6, 6–3 |
49. | 1982 | Toyota Championships, East Rutherford, U.S. | Carpet | Final | Navratilova | 4–6, 6–1, 6–2 |
50. | 1983 | Virginia Slims of Dallas, U.S. | Carpet | Final | Navratilova | 6–4, 6–0 |
51. | 1983 | Virginia Slims Championships, New York City | Carpet | Final | Navratilova | 6–2, 6–0 |
52. | 1983 | Virginia Slims of Los Angeles, U.S. | Hard | Final | Navratilova | 6–1, 6–3 |
53. | 1983 | Canadian Open, Toronto | Hard | Final | Navratilova | 6–4, 4–6, 6–1 |
54. | 1983 | US Open, New York City | Hard | Final | Navratilova | 6–1, 6–3 |
55. | 1983 | Lion's Cup, Tokyo, Japan | Hard | Final | Navratilova | 6–2, 6–2 |
56. | 1984 | US Indoor Championships, Livingston, U.S. | Carpet | Final | Navratilova | 6–2, 7–6(7–4) |
57. | 1984 | Virginia Slims Championships, New York City | Carpet | Final | Navratilova | 6–3, 7–5, 6–1 |
58. | 1984 | Amelia Island Championships, U.S. | Clay | Final | Navratilova | 6–2, 6–0 |
59. | 1984 | French Open, Paris | Clay | Final | Navratilova | 6–3, 6–1 |
60. | 1984 | Wimbledon, London | Grass | Final | Navratilova | 7–6(7–5), 6–2 |
61. | 1984 | US Open, New York City | Hard | Final | Navratilova | 4–6, 6–4, 6–4 |
62. | 1985 | Virginia Slims of Florida, U.S. | Hard | Final | Evert | 6–2, 6–4 |
63. | 1985 | Lipton International Players Championships, Key Biscayne, U.S. | Hard | Final | Navratilova | 6–2, 6–4 |
64. | 1985 | Virginia Slims of Dallas, U.S. | Carpet | Final | Navratilova | 6–3 6–4 |
65. | 1985 | French Open, Paris | Clay | Final | Evert | 6–3, 6–7(4–7), 7–5 |
66. | 1985 | Wimbledon, London | Grass | Final | Navratilova | 4–6, 6–3, 6–2 |
67. | 1985 | Australian Open, Melbourne | Grass | Final | Navratilova | 6–2, 4–6, 6–2 |
68. | 1986 | Virginia Slims of Dallas, U.S. | Carpet | Final | Navratilova | 6–2, 6–1 |
69. | 1986 | French Open, Paris | Clay | Final | Evert | 2–6, 6–3, 6–3 |
70. | 1986 | Virginia Slims of Los Angeles, U.S. | Hard | Final | Navratilova | 7–6(7–5), 6–3 |
71. | 1987 | Virginia Slims of Houston, U.S. | Clay | Final | Evert | 3–6, 6–1, 7–6(7–4) |
72. | 1987 | French Open, Paris | Clay | Semifinal | Navratilova | 6–2, 6–2 |
73. | 1987 | Wimbledon, London | Grass | Semifinal | Navratilova | 6–2, 5–7, 6–4 |
74. | 1987 | Virginia Slims of Los Angeles, U.S. | Hard | Semifinal | Evert | 6–2, 6–1 |
75. | 1987 | Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, Filderstadt, Germany | Carpet | Final | Navratilova | 7–5, 6–1 |
76. | 1988 | Australian Open, Melbourne | Hard | Semifinal | Evert | 6–2, 7–5 |
77. | 1988 | Virginia Slims of Houston, U.S. | Clay | Final | Evert | 6–0, 6–4 |
78. | 1988 | Wimbledon, London | Grass | Semifinal | Navratilova | 6–1, 4–6, 7–5 |
79. | 1988 | Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, Filderstadt, Germany | Carpet | Final | Navratilova | 6–2, 6–3 |
80. | 1988 | Virginia Slims of Chicago, U.S. | Carpet | Final | Navratilova | 6–2, 6–2 |
Grand Slam performance timeline comparison
For all players in their era see: Tennis performance timeline comparison (women)
1971–1977
Player | 1971 | 1972 | 1973 | 1974 | 1975 | 1976 | 1977 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AUS | FRA | WIM | USA | AUS | FRA | WIM | USA | AUS | FRA | WIM | USA | AUS | FRA | WIM | USA | AUS | FRA | WIM | USA | AUS | FRA | WIM | USA | AUSJ | FRA | WIM | USA | AUSD | |
Martina Navratilova | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | A | QF | 3R | 1R | A | QF | 1R | 3R | F | F | QF | SF | A | A | SF | 1R | A | A | QF | SF | A |
Chris Evert | A | A | A | SF | A | A | SF | SF | A | F | F | SF | F | W | W | SF | A | W | SF | W | A | A | W | W | A | A | SF | W | A |
- The Australian Open was held twice in 1977, in January (J) and December (D).
1978–1984
Player | 1978 | 1979 | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | |||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FRA | WIM | USA | AUS | FRA | WIM | USA | AUS | FRA | WIM | USA | AUS | FRA | WIM | USA | AUS | FRA | WIM | USA | AUS | FRA | WIM | USA | AUS | FRA | WIM | USA | AUS | |
Martina Navratilova | A | W | SF | A | A | W | SF | A | A | SF | 4R | SF | QF | SF | F | W | W | W | QF | F | 4R | W | W | W | W | W | W | SF |
Chris Evert | A | F | W | A | W | F | F | A | W | F | W | A | SF | W | SF | F | SF | F | W | W | W | 3R | F | A | F | F | F | W |
1985–1991
Player | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | ||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FRA | WIM | USA | AUS | FRA | WIM | USA | AUS | FRA | WIM | USA | AUS | FRA | WIM | USA | AUS | FRA | WIM | USA | AUS | FRA | WIM | USA | AUS | FRA | WIM | USA | |
Martina Navratilova | F | W | F | W | F | W | W | F | F | W | W | SF | 4R | F | QF | QF | A | F | F | A | A | W | 4R | A | A | QF | F |
Chris Evert | W | F | SF | F | W | SF | SF | A | SF | SF | QF | F | 3R | SF | SF | A | A | SF | QF | Retired |
1992–2006
Player | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 to 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AUS | FRA | WIM | USA | AUS | FRA | WIM | USA | AUS | FRA | WIM | USA | AUS | FRA | WIM | USA | AUS | FRA | WIM | USA | AUS | FRA | WIM | USA | AUS | FRA | WIM | USA | |||
Martina Navratilova | A | A | SF | 2R | A | A | SF | 4R | A | 1R | F | A | Retired | A | 1R | 2R | A | A | A | A | A | Retired | ||||||||
Chris Evert | Retired |
WTA Rankings
Year-end ranking timeline
Player | 1972 | 1973 | 1974 | 1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 95–03 | 2004 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chris Evert | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 10 [A] | |||||||
Martina Navratilova | 9 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 376 |
[A] Evert retired in September 1989 after the US Open, at which time she was ranked world No. 4.
See also
- List of tennis rivalries
- Grand Slam (tennis)
- Chris Evert career statistics
- Martina Navratilova career statistics
- Unmatched
References
- 1 2 "Ten great tennis rivalries". The Independent. July 8, 2008. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
Chris Evert v Martina Navratilova. Time span: '73-88 (80 matches) Head to head: Navratilova 43 Evert 37. Grand Slam finals: 14; Navratilova won 10. Wimbledon: Five finals; Navratilova won all.
- ↑ Knapp, Gwen (June 19, 2005). "Evert vs. Navratilova -- what a rivalry should be". SFGate. Retrieved 2010-12-20.
But I miss Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova. None of today's athletes, male or female, can match what these two wrought as adversaries on the court and as friends off it. Nor, for that matter, can anyone from an earlier era.
- ↑ "Hingis, Williams Building A Rivalry". Associated Press. May 11, 1998. Retrieved 2010-12-20.
Venus vs. Martina is on its way to joining Chris vs. Martina as a rivalry for the ages. Women's tennis is rife with ...
- ↑ Johnette Howard (2006). The Rivals: Chris Evert vs. Martina Navratilova, Their Epic Duels and Extraordinary Friendship.
A dual portrait of a legendary sports rivalry and friendship follows the careers of tennis greats Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova, from their first match in 1973 through the dramatic changes that occurred in the world of sports and society, including the rise of both the women's and gay rights movement and the fall of the Iron Curtain.
- ↑ "Martina vs Chris". Retrieved 2010-12-20.
For 15 years, from March 1973 to November 1988, Martina and Chris fought each other 80 times, a record in individual-sports history. They played 60 finals and 22 times in Grand Slam tournaments (14 finals). The definitive score was 43–37 for Martina.
- ↑ "Head 2 Head". www.wtatennis.com. Women's Tennis Association (WTA.}