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via Getty

Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova, two of the greatest tennis players in history, have shared an extraordinary friendship that has transcended their fierce rivalry on the court. Over the years, their bond has grown stronger, evolving from competitors to confidantes and close friends. Their mutual respect and admiration for one another have only been solidified by their shared experience of facing cancer diagnoses, which has brought them even closer together.

Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova found confidence in each other when diagnosed with Cancer

In the 1970s and 1980s, Evert and Navratilova dominated women’s tennis, engaging in some of the most memorable and hard-fought battles the sport has ever seen. In 2010, Navratilova revealed that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer last year, while Evert shared her own ovarian cancer diagnosis in 2021. These difficult experiences have brought the two friends even closer together, as they have supported and comforted each other through the challenges of treatment and recovery.

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In an interview with The Washington Post, Chris Evert confessed about calling Martina after she was diagnosed with this scary disease. She said, “She was one of the very first people I told. When I called her, it was a feeling of, like, coming home.”

Read More: ‘if You Give Her a Glass of Wine..’- Martina Navratilova Once Revealed the Latent Side of Dear Rival Chris Evert and How She Managed to Hide That Carefully From Media

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The shared experience of facing cancer has only served to strengthen the bond between Evert and Navratilova, as they have leaned on one another for strength and encouragement. Their friendship, which has endured the test of time and transcended their on-court rivalry, is a testament to the power of human connection and the importance of support systems in overcoming life’s greatest challenges.

Chris Evert shares how she was a tough nut to crack when it came to befriending Navratilova

Chris and Martina were definitely not friends from the start. It took both of the tennis legends time to find each other’s side that they could connect with. In the same interview, Evert shared that she started traveling together with Navratilova. They even used to practice together. Before they met in the finals, they also had brunch together.

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Evert shared that she was a tough nut to crack. Further, she added that Martina was such an innocent soul and vulnerable that she felt that she could trust her and feel safe with her. They even had dinners and went for drinks together as well.

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