‘I Ate Nonstop’ – Martina Navratilova Once Narrated Child-Like Behavior When She First Defected to the United States

Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova are amongst the first few players who brought immense fame to women’s tennis. After Billie Jean King’s efforts to establish WTA, these two were at the forefront of making women’s tennis appealing to the masses. They gave tennis one of the most celebrated rivalries, filled with nerve-wracking encounters.

However, their bonding outside the court didn’t align with the aggression with which they battled. Evert and Navratilova have always had a caring relationship infused with mutual respect. Here’s a conversation that proves the same.

Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova about their first match

In a 2010 interview with Forbes, the legends took a trip down the memory lane. They shared how their careers progressed and also spoke about their first meeting. While Evert was already an established player, Navratilova was just starting her professional career. Therefore, their thoughts were completely different from one another during the encounter. “I just wanted you to notice me,” said the Czech-American legend.

To which Evert responded. “You were a butterball.” After that, Navratilova pondered and added, “I put on twenty pounds in my first two weeks in America. I ate nonstop.”

They squared off in Akron, Ohio in 1973. There Evert thrashed Navratilova in straight sets of 7-6, 6-3  and knocked her out of the tournament in the opening round.

Read more: ‘She Was at the Funeral’ – Chris Evert Narrated Heart-Breaking Personal Incident to Praise Martina Navratilova for Her Continuous Support

Following that in the year 1975, the nine-time Wimbledon champion avenged her defeat. She defeated Evert in the quarterfinals in Washington DC and later admitted that the joy of her victory didn’t let her sleep the entire night. Then in 1976, after losing a considerable amount of weight, Navratilova snatched the title in Houston from Evert for the first time.

Evert and Navratilova’s rivalry

Both the former World no.1s have bagged 18 Grand Slam titles under their name. However, the figure would have been much bigger if they had played in different eras.

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Though Evert won 16 out of the first 20 matches, Navratilova caught up to her level of dominance pretty quickly and ended up monopolizing the rivalry. By the end of her career, the seven times French Open champion trailed Navratilova by 37-43. Navratilova went on to become the best all format players of all time, securing 59 Grand Slam titles over her storied career in tennis.