via Getty
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 07: Martina Navratilova, Serena Williams of the United States and Chris Evert pose after the women’s singles final match on Day fourteen of the 2014 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 7, 2014 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Williams defeated Wozniacki in two sets by a score of 6-3, 6-3. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
via Getty
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 07: Martina Navratilova, Serena Williams of the United States and Chris Evert pose after the women’s singles final match on Day fourteen of the 2014 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 7, 2014 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Williams defeated Wozniacki in two sets by a score of 6-3, 6-3. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Chris Evert is widely considered one of the greatest tennis players of all time, along with the likes of Serena Williams, Martina Navratilova, and Billie Jean King. She was a pioneer in women’s tennis who popularized the ‘modern’ style of playing, be it the two-handed backhand or the dominant baseline style. She won 18 major titles in singles, making her career one of the most successful ones in the Open Era.
Post her retirement, she is now into a commentary stint. Recently, in one of her interviews, she was seen discussing the commentary and how times have changed.
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Chris Evert on criticism for her commentary on players like Serena Williams
In a podcast interview with Design Matters, Chris Evert talked about her legendary career as an athlete. During this interview with Debbie Millman, she also talked about how the commentary in this day and age has changed. She also spoke about the criticism of her commentary on players like Serena. “So it’s like, in this day and age, you have to watch everything that you say, and in that day you could say anything you want to.??
She further went on to say that ?You could say somebody was a clown and you wouldn’t get in trouble. You could say you know bad boys of tennis…and now it’s like Kyrgios is sort of a bad boy, but they are very cautious with how they explain it. You know, it’s just, it’s just so different. It’s just so different now.“?
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The 18-time Grand Slam winner recently commented on Coco Gauff’s play, which infuriated Serena Williams’ diehard supporters. As a result of her remarks about the 18-year-old, admirers began drawing parallels between her open letter to Williams and the teenager.
What is Evert doing these days?
After retiring as an 18-time grand slam winner, she now provides in-depth analysis of the sport during major events. This year, Evert was at the US Open in her new role as an ESPN commentator. After Wimbledon, this was her second competition of the season.
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Everyone in the tennis community looks up to Evert for her insight and knowledge. Although she receives flak for her controversial opinions at times, fans and pundits welcome her unfiltered opinions during matches. She has recently formed an impeccable professional connection with another American legend, John McEnroe, as the pair delivered riveting commentary during the US Open.
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