Raised by a Commanding Father, Chris Evert Once Revealed How She Didn’t Get ‘Affection’ as a Tennis-Playing Child -’Don’t Make Errors..’

The perk of having a strict father is that he makes you mentally strong. However, the aloofness leaves an emotional dent. It always stays there and makes one feel incomplete. Something of the same sort happened with Chris Evert. The 18 times Grand Slam champion’s father/ coach succeeded in making her the best but failed to give her the warmth she required.

A few years ago, in an interview, Evert opened up about how much she loves her father and how the fact that he didn’t express his emotions hurt her. Here’s what she said. 

Chris Evert about the only aspect in which her father lacked

No one is perfect, and this goes for the strict and stern father of Chris Evert. As per her, “He was very hardworking, strict.” However, he never gave the emotional assurance that a young girl who was trying her best deserved. “I wanted in the beginning to get his praise and his affection, but I didn’t get.” Evert said.

“‘Chrissie, I love you; Chrissie, you look beautiful.’ My dad’s approach to tennis was, ‘Don’t make errors,’ not ‘That’s a beautiful shot.'” She added. Evert’s father Jimmy Evert trained her since childhood. He was a professional tennis coach and a retired player who won the 1974 Canadian Championships. 

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Evert helped the veteran claim the ranking of world no.1, win Grand Slams, and hold her on-court rivalries. He, after seeing his daughter make history, increase WTA’s following, and contribute to society through charities, said goodbye to the world in 2015. 

What is Evert up to these days?

The seven times French Open champion after retirement got inducted in the International Tennis Hall of Fame and dedicated herself to broadcasting and analytical roles. She since 2011 is working with ESPN. Evert covers all four Grand Slams of the channel. Further, she has maintained a bond with her fans through social media. She freely shares her thoughts and communicates with people. 

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Also, she runs a tennis academy with her younger brother and takes active participation in campaigns for social benefits. Evert runs Chris Evert Charities, which focuses on eliminating drug abuse and child neglect.