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

Chris Evert was a tennis sensation. Whenever she stepped onto the court, a legion of fans would come to watch her play. However, this is not something that her father and coach Jimmy Evert could envision. He taught his young daughter but felt she lacked some basic and necessary requirements that one would need to be a great and successful tennis player. So much so that, he once expressed his frustration at her for not being what he wished her to be.

Obviously, Evert could not change the things her father was hoping for. And, therefore, continued training the way she always had been. Eventually, evolving her game, she made herself the best on the court.

The ‘Ice Maiden’ Chris Evert, whose father wished her to be different

Chris Evert dazzled the fans with her impeccable skills whenever she stepped onto the court. Everybody loved her feminine demeanor yet powerful game. But her father and coach Jimmy Evert thought that her petite frame was not good enough to be the best.

Evert is always hailed for her astoundingly strong baseline game. Jimmy Evert taught her this so that she does not put herself to risk a lot on the court. In the book, The Rivals: Chris Evert vs. Martina Navratilova Their Epic Duels and Extraordinary Friendship, the author breaks down the thought process of Evert’s father.

Her most-revered two-handed backhand was developed out of necessity because she was unable to perfect it with one hand . Her father tried really hard, but it was not to any avail. And when he saw her playing like that, he said, “Forget it.”

Envisioning his daughter to be the greatest on the WTA tour became even more difficult once he saw Margaret Court play. The 24-time Grand Slam champion had come to the US and Chris Evert was only 14 at that point. After seeing Court play during a practice session, he expressed his frustration to himself. He thought. “Why, Chrissie can’t stay with them at all. They hit the ball so hard! And she’s so darn small.”

READ MORE: ‘A Perfect Blond Goddess’- Martina Navratilova Once Detailed How Her Heart Leaped Upon Witnessing Chris Evert

However, Evert proved everyone wrong. She did not just master her two-handed backhand shot but earned her place in the history books by winning 18 singles Grand slam title.

Evert once heaped praises on the father of a legendary tennis duo

Evert felt that Venus and Serena Williams received a lot of encouragement from their father Richard Williams.

The way he trained the legendary tennis sisters and motivated them is something every tennis player desires, according to ‘ The Ice Maiden’.

And seeing how much faith and support they had from their father, Evert wished the same for herself during her playing days. 

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

Even if she missed out on that, Evert made sure to still bag outstanding achievements for her skills on the tennis court.