‘Cover Behind Me’- When Former US President George H. W. Bush Gave a Terrific Account of the Time Spent With Chris Evert on a Tennis Court

Chris Evert has left behind a legacy for the current tennis players to look up to. She continues to inspire people and still stays in touch with tennis as a broadcaster for the sport. The player lead a glorious career where she clinched 18 grand slam titles under her name and also became a world no. 1 player.

She was inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame in 1995 when former President George H. W. Bush introduced the player at the ceremony.

Introduction of Chris Evert by George H. W. Bush

In 1995, Chris received the honor of being inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame. Former President George H. W. Bush who was present during the introduction mentioned playing with Evert and how she would stay in form irrespective of his position. He said, “It’s been the same thing, just as if she were playing in Wimbledon before the Queen of England. Bend your knees, cover behind me, get up to the net.”

Furthermore, he joked about how in golf people would actually give him some leeway, but Chris Evert never did that. With that, he said, “I present to you Chris Evert, (a) fierce competitor, a wonderful woman and a loving mother, a class act, a great champion.”

Chris Evert then came onto the pedestal with roaring cheering claps for the legendary player. The player reminisced about her visit to the Hall of Fame when she was just 17. At that point, she did not feel like a part of history. She said, “This year I came back, and I walked through the Hall of Fame and there were a few more champions of my era, Billie Jean King, Tracy Austin, and Arthur Ashe.”

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She felt a part of the team and members who were inducted to the Hall of Fame after the last visit. She said, “People that I knew, I had played against and I really admired. For the first time, I felt a sense of belonging and I felt like I was part of the family.”

What legacy has Evert left behind in tennis?

Chris Evert had turned pro in 1972 and retired in 1989. During the 70s and 80s, the player showed her rise to the top and became one of the best tennis players in the history of tennis.

The player became the first male, or female payer to win 1000 singles matches. From 1975 to 1986, she was either world no. 1 or 2 continuously.

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Her rivalry against Martina Navratilova also boosted her popularity. Both the players faced each other 80 times on the court. Interestingly, they both have 18 grand slam titles under their name. In 2000, Navratilova became part of the International Tennis Hall of Fame.