‘People Were Petrified to Practice With Her’ – American Tennis Veteran Once Revealed Annoying Chris Evert Quality That Scared Her Peers

Whenever we talk about the evolution of WTA, we always think of players like Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova, and Billie Jean King. But these iconic players had a very different aura. And Evert was renowned as the player with the coldest and most composed demeanor both on and off the court. But sometimes, this attitude became a problem for people around her who vocalized their discontent.

Be it her siblings or the legendary American tennis player Billie Jean King, they all have, at one point or another, lashed out at Evert for that.

Evert’s siblings gave up multiple times because of her attitude

Technically, it was not just Billie Jean King. Her siblings also were frustrated at her for giving that stern look that would send chills down their spines. The “fun” part about that look was that she did not give it only during the matches.

Even during the practice sessions, that look was pretty common. If she felt that her partner was not up to the mark, she would give “the look” again along with a one or two-word remark. In the book, The Rivals: Chris Evert Vs. Martina Navratilova: Their Epic Duels and Extraordinary Friendship, the author dictates the dichotomy created by Evert’s “look”. Her sister Jeanne Evert or brother John Evert would storm off the court yelling, “Just look at your- self, Chris… You are HORRIBLE!”

Billie Jean King once got mad at Evert for her ‘cold’ look

Apart from her sibling, Billie Jean King had a similar reaction as well. She stated, “Oh my God, she was hysterical. After Chris joined the women’s tour, people were petrified to practice with her.” Whenever King would practice with her, she kept some conditions. She’d say, “Chris, I will practice with you, but the minute you give me that look, I am gone. Understand?”

It was because sometimes Evert would get mad at her in a similar manner. And dictating her outburst, she used to yell at Evert, “CHRIS, I AM TRYING MY BEST, OKAY? BUT MY GROUND STROKES ARE JUST NOT AS GOOD AS YOURS, OKAY? I DO NOT GET EVERY BALL RIGHT BACK WHERE YOU WANT IT.” And then without saying anything Evert would wait for the next ball.

READ MORE: ‘She’s So Darn Small’- Controversial Tennis Icon Once Killed Chris Evert’s Father’s Hopes With Her Powerful Stroke Play

When Martina Navratilova, her iconic rival, would see her giving that same look from the opposite side of the court, even she would think, “Oh no!”

How did being the “Ice Maiden” affected Chris Evert? 

Evert confessed that being the “Ice Maiden” worked perfectly in court. Because she would stay calm in the most nerve-wracking situations too.

But this same demeanor in real life did not prove to be that successful. Hence, she needed to take therapy for that.

WATCH THIS STORY: Chris Evert Looks Back at Her Astounding Rivalry With Martina Navratilova and the Negative Impact of Her 13-Match Losing Streak

And now that Evert has off the court, she has found the perfect balance in maintaining the cold and warm sides of her personality together.