There is an audible rhythm to Grand Slam tournaments. It’s the sound of tennis balls being struck, the squeak of shoes on the court, and the roar of the crowd. But there’s another rhythm, a silent one, echoing the pulse of the game—the rhythm of heartbeats. As the tournament progresses and the field narrows, this heartbeat rhythm grows louder, and more intense. And when players start to ebb out, leaving only two players, this rhythm reaches its peak. For many years on the WTA circuit, the names that brought this silent rhythm to its peak for themselves were Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova.

The rivalry between Evert and Navratilova was the icon of the tennis town in the 1970s and 1980s. Between 1973 and 1988 Evert and Navratilova played around 80 matches against each other with 60 of them being the finals. The duo have shared a close bond for over five decades now and have seen each other at their best as well as worst. They dressed side by side. They waited together, sometimes ate together, and entered the arena together. Despite the rivalry that they shared, their friendship was never put at stake, including the times when they both went through similar health woes – cancer!

Recently recalling the same at the All England Club, Navratilova, and Evert highlighted the different approaches they had to their illness and the support they received from each other. When a media person asked the two the surprising factors about each other, they highlighted the contrasting traits. “Chris seemed so prim and proper. But then she has a glass of wine, she’s a different person,” said Navratilova. Responding similarly, Evert said, “She wore her heart on her sleeve. I find as she gets older, she’s more protective.” The discussion soon took the two to recall their journey recovering from cancer. 

Martina highlighted how Evert evolved as a person. “You’re the other way around. You were much more private then. Now you’re much more an open book. With our cancer, I was in a hole.” Continuing further, she depicted the challenges she herself faced and her inability to face the world. “I didn’t want the world to see anything. I didn’t want to see myself in the mirror, so I certainly didn’t want anyone else to see me.” She further reflected on the contrasting traits that Evert depicted. “You were much more public about your treatment and everything else. It’s funny. But we end up in the same place.” Both Evert and Navratilova went through similar scenarios. 

It was for the first time in 2010 when Navratilova faced a non-invasive form of breast cancer called ductal carcinoma. Thirteen years later, her struggles returned as found out she had two types of cancer at the same time. After being diagnosed with Stage 1 throat cancer, doctors conducted a biopsy and discovered a lump on her breast. It was Stage 1 breast cancer as well. Situations were no different for Evert.

In 2022, Evert publicly detailed her first cancer diagnosis to raise awareness about ovarian cancer, which had killed her younger sister in 2020. Evert was diagnosed with Stage I ovarian cancer again. But both the players won this battle as well and they are now free from the disease. Thanks to the immense support they gave to each other.

Speaking about the help she received from Navratilova, Evert shared, “She has been such a support for me. Coming over to my house, cooking me soup, cooking me pasta, really taking care of me, calling me, making sure I’m OK.” Meanwhile, the old friends are looking for yet another important venture together.

Evert opens up on the new documentary featuring her rivalry with Navratilova

American tennis has evolved watching the rivalry of Navratilova and Evert. Now, EverWonder Studio is soon expected to feature this rivalry on big screens as they are working towards making a documentary on the lives of the two-star players. Speaking about the same, Chris Evert disclosed the profit that TV broadcasters have earned just by portraying the rivalry between the two players.

The 18-time Grand Slam winner said, “I think our rivalry helped a lot, just the presentation of Martina and I as rivals. The matches that we played. I think that attracted even more eyeballs to the TV, viewers.” When quizzed about the documentary and its timing years after they retired, the tennis star continued. “Because, we’re getting old,” she said with a smile.

It will indeed be interesting to witness the rivalry of two legends on screens and will surely encapsulate the attention of tennis fans across the globe.