American · Fort Lauderdale, Florida · Born 21 December 1954Chris Evert is an American former professional tennis player who won 18 Grand Slam singles titles and holds one of the highest career win percentages in tennis history.
Christine Marie Evert was born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida in 1954 and became the most consistent winner in the history of professional tennis — her career win rate of 89.9% (1,309 wins from 1,455 matches) is the highest ever recorded for any professional player, male or female. She turned professional in 1972 and played until 1989, winning 18 Grand Slam singles titles: the French Open 7 times (1974, 1975, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1985, 1986), the US Open 6 times (1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1982), Wimbledon 3 times (1974, 1976, 1981) and the Australian Open twice (1982, 1984). She spent 260 weeks as world number one — more than any player of her era. She won 157 career titles. Her rivalry with Martina Navratilova across 80 matches — 46 for Navratilova, 37 for Evert — is considered the greatest sustained head-to-head in the sport's history. She never lost in the first round of a Grand Slam tournament across 56 appearances. Her two-handed backhand — pioneered at the professional level by Evert — became the standard grip for the shot across the next generation of players. She was a co-founder of the WTA Tour. Her consistency, particularly on clay, was without parallel in women's tennis.
18-time Grand Slam champion famed for an unmatched career win rate
Her 90% career win rate is the highest in the history of professional tennis.
Did You Know?How They Played
Evert was renowned for her precise two-handed backhand and exceptional baseline consistency, rarely making unforced errors. She possessed outstanding court positioning and tactical intelligence, preferring to construct points methodically rather than rely on power. Her mental fortitude and ability to perform under pressure made her one of the most clutch players in tennis history.
Lasting Impact
Evert revolutionized women's tennis with her professional approach and consistency, helping elevate the sport's profile during the golden era of the 1970s and 1980s. Her rivalry with Martina Navratilova became one of the greatest in sports history and captivated audiences worldwide.
Career Honours
- 18 Grand Slam singles titles
- French Open 7 times
- former world No. 1
- multiple Fed Cup titles with the USA
American Athletes