‘Spent a Lot of Time Building the Sport’ – American Sports Columnist Credits Legends Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova for Helping Women’s Tennis Be More Than a Mere Shadow of the Men’s Game

In the 1970s and 80s era, Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova were the two dominant forces who often mesmerized the audience with stellar performances. During their illustrious journeys, the American tennis legends achieved numerous remarkable victories on the court, which further propelled women’s sport.

However, their greatness transcends beyond the confines of the court, as they were also involved in a lot of off-court endeavors in order to elevate women’s tennis to new levels. Speaking about the same, the renowned American sports columnist, Sally Jenkins, recently revealed how the Hall of Famers “built women’s tennis” by accepting their responsibilities off the court as well.

Sally Jenkins hails Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova for their off-court endeavors

The American sports columnist was recently featured in a podcast show with Lisa Cornwell & Karen Crouse, in which she talked about the WTA legends. Apart from playing tennis competitively, Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova also accepted some serious off-court responsibilities during their heydays. The ‘Ice Maiden’ served as president of the WTA Tour for a period of nine years i.e., from 1975 to 76, and then from 1983 to 1991. Navratilova, on the other hand, also made various efforts in order to “please sponsors” in the sport.

Speaking about the 18-time singles Grand Slam champions’ off-court duties, Sally Jenkins said, “Chrissy and Martina spent a lot of time building the sport and accepting their responsibilities off the court as well as on Chris Evert served as president of the WTA for nine years. She was elected president four times by her peers, she worked tirelessly, she did many, many appearances that she did not want to do.”

Jenkins added, “She and Martina would make their schedules together and say, in order to please sponsors and to make sure that sponsors were getting what they need it, right. That’s the sort of thing that built women’s tennis.”

Apart from playing their part during their careers, the legends still perform crucial roles in enhancing the popularity of the sport.

The tennis legends are still hailed as pioneers in revolutionizing women’s tennis

Even after bidding adieu to competitive tennis, Evert and Navratilova have often used their respective platforms to address various matters in women’s sports, including equal pay. Both the former tennis players have never held themselves back from demanding equal pay and equal coverage for female athletes.

It was also made evident when US President Joe Biden received a child’s letter addressing the pay disparity faced by women. Evert was quite supportive of the same as she took to her Twitter in order to lavish praise on that child’s letter.

READ MORE- Chris Evert’s Common Sense Was Considered ‘Betrayal’ to Women’s Tennis in a Notorious Bobby Riggs Controversy Back in 1973

What do you think of the tennis legends’ off-court endeavors for female athletes? Let us know in the comments section.

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