Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova shared one of the greatest rivalries in tennis history, spanning across two decades, and having clearly flourished into a friendship following their respective retirements.
Enjoying a head-to-head narrowly favouring the former at 43-37, and 36-24 in finals, it is actually the most prolific rivalry of the Open Era, to emphasise their shared legendary status.
But, that has since melted into a respect unlike any other, with Rafael Nadal’s relationship with Roger Federer probably the closest contemporary comparison.
Seeing them together to present the French Open title to Iga Swiatek this very year was particularly heartwarming, and only reaffirmed a friendship for the ages especially after we learned that it was supposed to be only Navratilova on court until Evert was invited on stage by the 67-year-old.
Now, the latter has sought to laud her again in response to her recent presence at the Tennis Hall of Fame awards.
Chris Evert sends message to Martina Navratilova
Speaking at those very Tennis Hall of Fame awards, as the person nominated to welcome Leander Paes into the fold, there was no one better than Navratilova to praise the legendary Indian whose talents transcended the sport.
Claiming it had been a ‘privilege’ to share the court both with and against him, her standout quote from the speech read: ‘The passion that the man has for the sport is indescribable.
‘And, if all else fails, he smiles on the court. He wielded the tennis racket like an orchestra conductor wields the baton.’
It was touching to see the Czech-American stand on stage and congratulate the man who she won two Grand Slam mixed doubles titles with, with a fitting tribute to his greatness.
Chris Evert even weighed in with a brief comment of her own, although hers was directed at Navratilova. She simply wrote on X: ‘Great speech; you go girl!’
John McEnroe suggested another Hall of Fame inductee
Although his plea went unanswered, John McEnroe’s tennis Hall of Fame recommendation was still a fair one, having told Brad Gilbert to his face that he deserved to be in there.
Having just listened to the legendary American defend Coco Gauff’s disappointing Roland Garros exit, the seven-time Grand Slam champion claimed: ‘I love your defence of your pupil there and I’m going to nominate Brad Gilbert next year for the international tennis Hall of Fame along with our other cohort Darren Cahill, both of whom deserve to be in the international tennis Hall of Fame.’
Given Gilbert has overseen the development of Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick, Andy Murray and now Gauff during his coaching career, all of whom are Grand Slam champions and pioneers within the sport, it is certainly a justifiable claim.
And, given he now has the latter, one of the WTA’s most promising talents under his watchful eye, those accolades are only set to continue coming.
Paes is certainly a worthy entrant into the Hall of Fame, but Gilbert cannot be far behind.
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