Chris Evert is a renowned retired American tennis player who dominated the sport during her illustrious career, earning the distinction of being the World No. 1 singles player on seven separate occasions in 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1980, and 1981. Throughout her remarkable tenure, Evert accumulated an impressive 157 singles championships and 32 doubles titles, cementing her status as one of the greatest tennis players of all time.
Evert's impressive record includes a staggering 34 Grand Slam singles finals appearances, a feat unmatched by any other player in the history of professional tennis. Her remarkable consistency is further underscored by her record of most consecutive years (13) to win at least one Grand Slam title, a testament to her unwavering dedication and perseverance.
Her Grand Slam performances are nothing short of phenomenal, with Evert reaching the semifinals or better in an astonishing 52 of the 56 Grand Slams she played, including an incredible 34 consecutive Grand Slams entered from the 1971 US Open through the 1983 French Open. Evert's unparalleled dominance is also reflected in her never having lost in the first or second round of a Grand Slam singles tournament, and losing in the third round only twice.
In Grand Slam women's singles play, Evert holds a record seven championships at the French Open and a co-record six championships at the US Open, a feat shared with the incomparable Serena Williams. Her remarkable career winning percentage in singles matches of 89.97% (1309-146) is the highest in the history of Open Era tennis, a testament to her exceptional skill and tenacity.
Evert's prowess on clay courts is equally impressive, with a career winning percentage of 94.55% (382-22) remaining a WTA record. In addition to her impressive on-court achievements, Evert also served as the president of the Women's Tennis Association for eleven calendar years, from 1975-76 and 1983-91. Her numerous accolades include the Philippe Chatrier award and induction into the Hall of Fame. In later life, Evert transitioned into coaching and analysis, serving as a commentator for ESPN.
