Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova had one of the most iconic rivalries in tennis history.
Evert and Navratilova played 80 times in their head-to-head, with the latter leading on 43 victories.
This has led to Billie Jean King calling it the best rivalry ever, ahead of the likes of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
While many of their matches are unforgettable for fans, there is one of their Grand Slam finals that appears to have haunted Evert.
The match that Chris Evert lost to Martina Navratilova that hurt her the most
Evert and Navratilova played 14 Grand Slam finals against one another, including at the 1984 US Open.
When speaking to Tennis Majors in 2021, Evert revealed that this was the most crushing defeat for her in their rivalry.
Navratilova had won 12 consecutive matches against Evert heading into this final, but the latter found herself a set up.
Despite this, Navratilova fought back to beat Evert, who suggested that she lost the match at 3-3 in the deciding set.
“I think the one I was crushed the most was the US Open when I lost 6-4 in the third,” Evert said in 2021. “Did I win the first set? I think at one point it was like 3-3 in the third set. And again, this was during the (Navratilova) streak.
“This is during the streak where she was beating me and I really wanted to win that match. I really was into reversing, kind of changing the momentum of our matches. I was so intense. I was playing well.
“And I think I was disappointed because at 3-3, I got passive. I had my chances, it’s almost like, when I was wiped off the court, love and three or two and one, it’s like, ‘too good’, she just was too good.
“But when I had control and I let myself down and didn’t go for my shots like I should have, I think that US Open, that was crushing. You can tell when I shook hands with her, I was not happy. I’d like to have that (back). I’d like to be at 3-all again and then with my different attitude now, go play it.”
What was Chris Evert’s favorite win over Martina Navratilova?
Evert ended Navratilova’s winning streak at their next match in Miami, but it was their subsequent meeting that was her favourite win against her biggest rival.
This came in the 1985 final of Roland Garros, where Navratilova was the top seed and defending champion.
Evert, who suggested that she was a big underdog, overcame the odds and managed to beat Navratilova, 6-3 6(4)-7 7-5.
“Well, my favourite one was the 1985 French Open,” said Evert. “I mean, for obvious reasons. I’d lost to her 13 times in a row and then I beat her earlier that year in Miami, Key Biscayne. I beat her in three sets there, which (would have been) the 14th time, so it kind of broke the streak there.
“But when I went into the French, I was still the underdog. She was still number one, beating everybody and nobody really gave me any chance whatsoever. And it was such a seesaw up and down match.
“She had leads and she let them go. And then I would have a lead and then I’d let it go, (it was) so up and down and not the best quality tennis, because we were both so nervous. But just to be able to pull that match out, I think, and win it…emotionally that was the happiest I’ve ever been in a tennis match.”
Although they has a very intense rivalry on court, Evert and Navratilova have developed a friendship since retiring from the WTA Tour.
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