Evert and Navratilova: The Uncanny Similarities in Their Lives

“It’s uncanny how parallel our lives are,” remarked tennis legend Martina Navratilova while discussing her fellow tennis great Chris Evert in an interview with Sally Jenkins of the Washington Post. This sentiment lies at the core of a comprehensive exploration of the relationship between these two women, whose fierce rivalry on the court defined the sport for decades. As Jenkins aptly puts it, “The shape of the relationship is an hourglass.” They first crossed paths as teenagers in 1973, became friends, and then went their separate ways as they both ascended to the top spot in the world rankings at each other’s expense. Their rivalry culminated in an astounding 60 finals and an equal number of Grand Slam victories, totaling 18 each. However, upon retiring, their relationship transformed once again as they became close friends in Florida.

Evert, now 66, and Navratilova, 68, share an intimate bond. When Evert learned of her ovarian cancer diagnosis in January 2022, Navratilova was one of the first people she confided in. Similarly, when Navratilova discovered she had throat and breast cancer later that year, one of her initial contacts was Evert. Both women decided to make their illnesses public, as Jenkins writes, because throughout their years as fierce competitors, they also felt a broader responsibility to “the game or women athletes or women,” as Navratilova claims. Evert simply wanted to “help.” Fortunately, both women are now cancer-free. The article delves into their tennis careers, their legendary rivalry (which saw one of Navratilova’s trainers advise her to be cold and distant towards Evert), and their battles with cancer. It is a captivating read, which can be found here. (You can also explore other longforms on the same site.)