Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova look back on their legendary rivalry and tennis careers!
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- čas přidán 24. 10. 2018
- Clare Balding anchors a fascinating chat between tennis legends Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova at the WTA Finals in Singapore.
- Sport
these two are a living testament that two completely different people from completely different backgrounds can truly be great friends and appreciate one another. i admire them both so much.
This is so true. Two great people
There will never be a rivalry like it again
Two classy ladies. The most consistent champions ever. I miss the great days of tennis.
Hear-Hear . . . Tennis, like many other things, seems to have changed for the worse; [ IMHO ]. Were's the Laver's and McEnroe's of today players? Is it me or today's players . . . but the "soul" is gone from tennis ? In the past, players only had their tennis skills to rely on. It SEEMS male players of today perfect strength, while women compete on the beaches with slingshots. [IMHO]
Move on . That is life !
Evert's sister, Jeanne, passed away earlier this year and Evert said this in an interview, “My sister passed away in February, and Martina was there the whole day. She was at the funeral. She was there for the burial. She was at the house for food and stayed until 10 p.m. She and Pam Shriver were the only two players there. "
ESPN did an outstanding piece on them in a series called called 30 for 30. They hit tennis balls and talked about their rivalry and enduring friendship.
They developed a true friendship over the years no doubt. they understand each other in ways no one else can given the long history and competition.
I always thought that they were enemies and over the years, I've realized that they are friends: more like sisters really.
Brightened my youth. Love them! So touching how Martina supported Chris at her Sister’s funeral ❤️
@@johniii8147 It's like chess where all the players move in the same circles and stay at the same hotels etc. Plenty of time to acquaint.
says it all, class
I could watch these two fabulous women talking for hours and hours. Legends.
Me too
I love the respectful friendship between these two titans in tennis.
Both so different, both so amazing. The golden years of tennis; wooden rackets and skill
They didn't play with wooden rackets in the '80s
@@leolight5369 In the 70s they did and both of them played a lot of their careers in the 70s
@@leolight5369 Sure did. Chrissy won 82 with one.
Leo Light Chrissie did.
Chris is 63 in the interview. Incredible.
I have always been a Chris fan and admirer, but I have to say Martina is humble, kind and a great intervirew.
True. But I have to say Chris Evert is outgoing, jovial, gracious, mischievous and a great interview!
Same here. I’m a Chris fan but have huge respect and admiration for Martina. I’m glad that after it all, they are still friends.
Both classy, but I'm a Martina fan. I love the competitive spirit, just like Nadal. Nevermind Serena and number of titles, at her peak, I think Martina was best, better than either Williams sister, Steffi, Monica, Margaret Court, anyone...
Grew up watching them play! They both look fabulous 😊 miss that era of tennis 😥
Women's tennis was fantastic when they played. I saw many of their matches and it was always an incredible experience. I am so glad that it was my era so was able to watch these fabulous athletes. Great ladies.
Two women who make the female gender proud. Such class. Glad they are from my era in time. Such achievements and such decent people too. A real joy to listen to.
Two of the greatest champions across all sports; love them both.
Both ladies look really stunning.....I adore Chris and Martina
Did Chris do some plastic surgery lately?! Not seeing here in this clip but looking her comment on Eurosport Roland Garros 2021 she looks unrecognizable. Or she just aged.
I noticed too, she's obviously been at the botox
"It's platonic, but it's a love affair." -- Martina Navratilova Haha! Gotta love them both!
Love the relationship Chris and Martina have had over the years....class acts!!
I love the chemistry between the two. It’s obvious they are great friends
No not really, Evert would think she is morally better than Martina
@@maxipaz5597 WRONG! even martina has praised evert over the years for standing by her and not judging her, evert has attended all of martina's weddings, EVEN before martina came out, martina years later thanked her...
MAXI PAZ Oh shut up.
MAXI PAZ BS
Martina has been married once, and still is, so don't know where u got ur information from
Absolute LEGENDS.
Great champions, great people, great mutual respect. Thanks for putting this video on youtube.
Record
Martina : wimbledon 9 times
Evert : French Open 7 times
And Chris missed several FOs to do Team Tennis. She’d likely have at least 10 FOs
Two great champions! Now the rivalry has turned into the greatest respect for one another. Awesome stuff! Thanks for the smiles Ladies!
I still remember watching them in d 80s when I was 10 or 11 yrs old!! I even waited end of d news hopefully to watch Martina won...no one ever achieved like her💪💪💪
Nice to know that Martina & Chrissie are good friends. I have watched tennis since 1974. I just love those two. I can remember Martina coming onto the courts & the referees would stumble over her surname. After a couple of wins the refs had no problems. Bless those two.
I just love these two. They are so interesting to listen to. Love that they can't remember much of what they won. That is the sign that they won so much. They also both look so good. Thanks for putting this video up. I don't have BT Sport, so never even knew this existed.
They're both super heroes of tennis, and they hardly know their own stats. That's very endearing.
I love these two! Such an embodiment of respect between great rivals and the resulting friendship. It's a testament to the sport and to them individually...maybe even Evert moreso...whom while tied in Grand Slams came up on the short end of their overall head to head but has never seemed to begrudge Martina as the better player in the end.
Chris is an American icon and the face of early women's pro tennis. Martina's victories will never supplant that.
I would say that 43-37, when for the first 3 or 4 years Martina didn't make it far enough to count is pretty even. They are best friends in many ways. It's unique in the history of sport really. Evert was the third or fourth best player in the world from the minute she played her first match on the tour. Capriati is the only player who comes to mind who was that good from day one.
John David that’s plain incorrect. But whatever.
@@jondavwal13 exactly 43-37 in 80 matches over 15 year is pretty much a "dead heat"... in the end, evert was better on clay and slow hard court, martina was better on grass and indoor carpet, what "hurts" evert are those 13 straight losses when she was still playing with wood and hadn't just revved up her physicality, strength, fitness, quickness and endurance to legitimately play martina... granted, that's NOT martina's fault, it just is/was...
@@tomschmitz5745 Chris Evert seems like an overall better player. Martina was more raw power like Serena. One can see the physique of Martina during those times was unbelievable, but Chris Evert always had the grace and finesse.
Martina was and still is the GREATEST EVER. Even Chrisy said that in an interview I loved watching these two play.............Fantastic rivalry and friendship !!!!
Two living legends
I started watching tennis when these two are in their prime. great to watch them again.
Sad I didn't watch their rivalry ending with 18 Grand slams apiece, and the beautiful friendship they now share. Most beautiful interview.
both women play with such class and respect ..best rivalry next to magic and bird..i miss them both playing..
Loved their matches! Legends~
In their long careers, I never heard them uttering "mental health" issues or blaming anybody at any time they lost a match. Classy players.
Today certain players are snow flakes and even proud of that.
Chris Evert is the only 60-something woman who i would describe as "cute" but not in an "adorable grandma" type of way
Chris Evert is one of those women who have this innate elegance.
Jane Leeves is 60 and hot.
Love em both..I read Martinas autobiography way back when been watching Tennis ever since..
I remember when Chris Evert sister, Jeanne(hit 2 hands on both sides) played on the tour! 1973, Virginia Slims of Columbus, Ga.!...The finals were scheduled Chris Evert vs Margaret Court ...On the day of the finals Margaret came out and addressed the crowd...She stated that she had an injury and defaulted!..So Chiris played her sister Jeanne in a pro set, won by Chris 8-3! This was played at the Columbus Country Club, Hard true clay.
Terrific trivia, thanks! Here's some more. During the 70's Chrissie reached the final, I believe it was in Orange, New Jersey. Her opponent had to default and could not play, so tournament organizers called up local Althea Gibson to play Chris instead! Chrissie stated Althea "still had that booming serve" and that classy Chrissie gave her some games out of respect for Althea that day!
Yes, the 30 for 30 episode was very good. They did and do a lot for tennis. Remember watching their rivalries.
They togeather with BJK basically built the entire game. They should get royalties from the ladies of today.
I basically grew up watching them and their generation of players. And back then, tennis didnt come on tv NEARLY as often as it does these days...not even close. Hell, I played it, more than I saw it on tv. But I would hunt for any and every kind of tennis-related 'thing' in the newspapers. I'll never forget my Mom getting me a subscription for Tennis Magazine, for Xmas, once...and I almost came out of my skin. I was that nuts about tennis. So, to me?...she and Martina and King Sue Barker and Casals and Stove and and Jaeger and V. Wade and Tracy Austin, and Borg, Mac, Connors, Ashe, Vilas, Noah, Pecci, Clerc and Lendl...were my tennis gods and goddesses
Chrissie is the best. I am so happy she is giving back!
Both won 150+ WTA singles titles. They also co-dominated WTA in 1974-1987, as Connors, Borg, McEnroe and Lendl did in ATP in the same period.
My favourite female tennis players. Chris is beautiful and I also admired Martina, not only for her tennis, but also for her intelligence. (I must admit, I did like Monica Seles tho', If she hadn't been attacked, I think she would have been the best female tennis player to this day...and she looks great!)
MN far more beautiful in lots of ways
Two great tennis players and they look fab here.
I love Chris and Martina!
The 2 Greatest women players of the history ! Amazing legend women ............
Well said, people will, of course argue that Graf and Williams were/are "better!"
I'll accept that when Williams gets her 10th Wimbledon, which going by the last 2 years doesn't look like happening any time soon! 😉
@Oliver McCall Serena played, Graf, Seles, Clisters, Henin, Capriati, Davenport, The Russian, Her sister, Victoria, Li Na, I can continue......
@@MrBjorn6 Different eras, but just based on their games as is, Serena would blow either Martina or Chris off the tennis court. Its about the power baby.
Martina and Evert were awesome players, but the power of the womens game is something they couldnt handle.
Serena Williams is the greatest womens player of all time.
@@chocolatetownforever7537 Graf is superior to that beached whale Faterena.
Anyway this is about Martina and Chris not FATERENA
damn, that is 36 GS single titles speaking...
Both legends
Chrissie is such a lovely person. Wow. What a lesson I've been learning on her lately. Her comportment is second to none. I love her gait (at least from back in the day)
I love these 2 legends of the game , I was born 4 years before CE debut and can’t recall tennis without her in the glorious 70s x
Don't forget that both also held their own in the even more glorious 80s when women's tennis became a truly international sport.
Never knew that women played best of 5 tennis for 10 years until this interview.
Martina's Czech accent became heavier when she grew older. She used to sound almost native American in the 80's. Now she's still very very fluent but she is a little more accented.
She was banned from from former Czechoslovakia for years. Couldn't visit her family and probably didn't speak Czech for years until the ban was lifted. I lived in London for 5 years and spoke English with a British accent. I moved back to my home country. When I speak English these days, it sounds like an amalgam of American accents and not as fluent.
I remember the VS in the garden. That was a great event.
Best rivalry in individual sports
Agree
2 of the best, lots of class and highly respected.
Martina and Chrissy rock!!
These two are hilarious together.
These are real icons of women's sports
Beautiful icons of tennis 👍
They had their ups and downs but it’s very clear they have a real personal relationships told this day
Love these two. Icons . Absolutely love ❤️
Chrissie Evert is so buuutiful and gooooooorgeous...I can't bliv my eyes...I can't bliv how anyone can be so beautiful...
U need glasses m8
open bobs, amirite
Great and balanced interview
Chris Evert is 67!?!?! Wow!
Evert had that GOLDEN lob, greatest LOB ever which was fun to see go over Navratilova head :) Navratilova would LET US know right away what she thought about that :) and the great passing shots Evert and Seles trying to get past those net rushers.
MN is a bloomin' marvel of the sport...
I love both these ladies both carry themselves with class and dignity
both are among the 4 greatest players ever together with Court and Graf!
I think both have said seles is the best ever
@@tennisfan599 I don't think the usual Selestial Nutters will get your sarcasm! 😜
I take off my hat and have the utmost respect for these two great ladies.
Fundamentally different ways of playing, but one like the other ingenious.
Chrissie is the greatest female clay court player ever. Rafa is the greatest male clay court player ever.
Actualiy Chris was 7-6, 5-3 up against Court in the 1973 French Open final ( she was 18)Court rallied to win 6-7, 7-6, 6-4 ....a few weeks later Chris reached the Wimbledon final where Billie Jean beat her 6-0, 7-5. The next year 1974 Chris reached both finals again and this time she won both beating Olga Morozova in both finals.
A few weeks later she beat Court in the Wimbledon semi-finals 61-1-6,6-1.
That is right it was the Virginia Slims! I used go to The Virginia Slims and I got to see all the greats!
Two class acts on and off the court.
I always thought Martina looked older than she was and predicted that she would age very gracefully. Today, she do look like she haven't aged now that she is in her later years.
More so than Bird and Magic, either one would've been the greatest ever without the other in her way. Fitting they both have 18 slams and a better-than-fair tradeoff for Wimbledon honors are easily those for both the US and French Opens. Couldn't be much closer. Both likeable still.
Chrissie Evert looks like Bollywood actress Katrina Kaif...but Chrissie is simply out of this world...
Living legends both and lovely people to boot.
Interesting to note that they didn't win the Aussie Open that many times compared to the others. I think I remember Billie Jean King saying that was because a lot of US players didn't want to make the trip, or that the Viginia Slims Championships were more lucrative?
If that's the case, how many *more* Grand Slam titles would they have gained between them?
Wow!! Both women have aged very gracefully. They look great!
Love these two stars.
top 3 of greatest sports rivalries. nice interview. So many variables to consider, but the tiny (me personally) edge I put Chris over Martina is take each one's most won slam. Chris, 7 French, so she won 11 at the other 3. Martina, 9 Wimbledon's, 9 at the other 3.
Great champions-awesome people 👍
Didn't know the Final match of the WTA Finals was played over five-sets from 1984 -1998 . Very interesting fact in the history of tennis
Chris Everett can still get it !!!!🔥💥
Two classy ladies. No so much for Williams sisters.
True Champions & Legendary role models, Serena should spend a little more of her time in their presence. It might rub off on her.
They met in 22 grand slams playing 14 finals. Chris won 4, Martina won 10.
Interesting. Same H2H as Nadal-Federer in Slams
Hello Martina...I still have your old Spalding tennis racket from the 70's..
Nice to see them wearing poppies. Enjoyed watching them play brilliant tennis.
They met in 3 Australian finals- 81 Martina, 82 Chris, 85 Martina- 2-1 Martina, in 4 French finals- 75- Chris, 84- Martina, 85- Chris, 86 Chris, 3-1 Chris, The met in 5 Wimbledon finals- 78, 79, 82, 84, 85 all to Martina 5-0 and in 2 US Open finals- 83 and 84- both to Martina, 2-0. Total 14 finals- 10- 4 Martina, Chris had the edge when they met in the Semis.
The difference between Chris and Martina is that Chris spent her entire career vying for Grand Slams, Martina did not. Martina became a better player after 81, which is reflected in the their rivalry and amount of times she made a finals; in the 70s, Martina made 4 slam finals, Chris 15. In the 80s Martina made 25 finals, Chris 19. Both skipped many Australians & French Opens in the 70's. Martina played 3 french, one Australian making 2 finals. Chris played 4 french, one Australian making the finals at all, and winning 3 French. When she was the most dominate clay court player she skipped the French (76,77, 78) to support World Team Tennis.
@John David I tend to forget the later SF when Graf slipped between or past them.
Chris does work on her face. But I see that Chris still has the upper crust attitude while Martina is humble and real! Love Martina for that but love Chris for her contribution inventing the two-handed back hand and her finesse on court.
They only met 5 times at RG vs 10 times at Wimbledon. That swung the H2H in Martina’s favour.
They're so funny together
Impecables ambas
one of the main reason they switched to best of five was because Martina was so dominant, her matches were over in under an hour 83-84
When did they switch?
That is not true. The tour switched to best of five in an effort to try something different. It wasn't popular among the players so it was scrapped after a few years.
Legends.
they are so funny together, in the way that only the closest of people can be.
LEGENDS
It was both of them Mary Carillo and Ana Laird---funny on how each lady focussed on a different person at the end of the video.
Chris always funny!
Wow!!! Both of them still look good!!! One of the great rivalries in sports.
14 times if i've got it right, that they met in gs finals---
Just a waw duo !!! ❤
could i place an early bid on Martina's used shorts? they'd make a mint on EBAY!