In the world of tennis rivalries, Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova have truly aced it. Facing off a total of 80 times on court, with 60 of those matches being finals. Their fierce competition has blossomed into a heartwarming friendship that continues to thrive today. During their respective battles with cancer, the stars supported each other and as they have come out of that adversity together, they continue to share glimpses of their unique friendship with the world.

On October 18, Martina Navratilova marked her 68th birthday, receiving an outpouring of well-wishes from fans and fellow players alike. Among those celebrating was her longtime friend and rival, Chris Evert, who took to X to share a heartfelt message, “Happy birthday to my great friend (and rival!) @Martina, who always has my back and continues to inspire me with her strength and resilience. Love our friendship.” The message was followed by a red heart emoji to capture all the love.

The post was accompanied by a photo of the two at a formal event, elegantly dressed and showcasing the enduring bond that has defined their remarkable journey in tennis. Together, they pushed each other to new heights in the sport which was always exciting to witness.

The two players won 18 Grand Slam singles titles each and held the world No. 1 ranking, with Chris Evert achieving it for 260 weeks and Martina Navratilova for an impressive 332 weeks. Their rivalry, which spanned from 1973 to 1988, was intense but ultimately blossomed into a profound friendship that continues to thrive today.

Best friends stand together during a tough battle with cancer

After their legendary careers, both Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert faced the daunting challenge of cancer—Navratilova battled throat and breast cancer, while Evert fought ovarian cancer. Their shared experiences brought them even closer, and recently, at Ralph Lauren’s Pink Pony awareness event, they reflected on their journey together. Evert remarked, “Isn’t it ironic that with everything we’ve been through with our careers, being rivals and friends, we happened to get cancer at the same time?”

Chris Evert was diagnosed first to which Navratilova admitted, “When you were diagnosed, it terrified me. I supported you, and then a year later, I got it, and you supported me.” She was diagnosed with Stage 1 throat and breast cancer in 2022. During this time, the two shared that they were always in close contact, even when Evert announced a recurrence of the disease later in 2023. Through it all, they find comfort in knowing that the other was always there for them “only a phone call away” as Chris phrased it

Evert added, “You’re one of my best friends, and I know I can always count on you.” While the two WTA stars are still in the midst of their recovery. Fans can rest assured that this friendship is longstanding any rivalry and battle they face.