Career Timeline of Chris Evert: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Chris Evert, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Chris Evert is a highly accomplished American former professional tennis player. She held the world No. 1 ranking for 260 weeks, ending the year as No. 1 five times (1975-1977, 1980, 1981). Evert won 157 singles titles, including 18 major championships. Her rivalry with Martina Navratilova defined women's tennis in the mid-1970s to mid-1980s, marking a period of dominance for both players.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Legacy & Impact

1969: Ranked No. 1 Under-14 and First Senior Tournament

In 1969, Chris Evert was ranked No. 1 in the United States for girls under 14. She also played her first senior tournament, reaching the semifinals in Fort Lauderdale.

1970: National Championship and Victory Over Margaret Court

In 1970, Chris Evert won the national 16-and-under championship and defeated world No. 1 Margaret Court in a clay-court tournament, leading to her selection for the U.S. Wightman Cup team.

September 1971: Grand Slam Debut and Semifinal Streak

In September 1971, Chris Evert made her Grand Slam debut at the US Open, initiating a streak of reaching at least the semi-finals in 34 consecutive Grand Slam singles events.

1971: US Open Semifinal

In 1971, Chris Evert reached the semifinals of the US Open, marking the beginning of a streak of 34 consecutive majors where she reached at least the semifinals.

1971: Grand Slam Debut at US Open

In 1971, at age 16, Chris Evert made her Grand Slam tournament debut at the US Open, reaching the semifinals after saving six match points in the second round against Mary-Ann Eisel. Her 46-match winning streak then ended with a loss to Billie Jean King in the semifinal.

August 1973: Beginning of Clay Court Winning Streak

In August 1973, Chris Evert began a remarkable streak of 125 consecutive matches won on clay courts, which stands as a benchmark among both men and women players.

1973: Runner-Up at French Open and Wimbledon

In 1973, Chris Evert was the runner-up at both the French Open and the Wimbledon Championships, marking significant achievements early in her career.

1974: Start of Consecutive Grand Slam Title Winning Years

In 1974, Chris Evert began a streak of winning at least one Grand Slam singles title each year, which lasted for 13 consecutive years.

1974: World's Number One Player

In 1974, Chris Evert was ranked number one in the world at the end of the year by multiple tennis publications.

1975: President of the Women's Tennis Association

In 1975, Chris Evert began her first term as president of the Women's Tennis Association.

1975: French Open Victory Over Navratilova

In 1975, Chris Evert defeated Martina Navratilova 2-6, 6-2, 6-1 in the French Open final to defend her title.

1975: Non-participation in Australian Open

In 1975, Chris Evert did not participate in the Australian Open, starting a series of absences until 1980 and again in 1983 due to the tournament's decline in status.

1975: Year-End No. 1 Ranking and French Open Win

In 1975, Chris Evert secured her first year-end No. 1 ranking by the WTA and also won her second French Open title, defeating Evonne Goolagong Cawley in the final.

1975: Second French Open and First US Open Title

In 1975, Chris Evert won her second French Open title and the first of four consecutive US Open titles, defeating Evonne Goolagong Cawley in the US Open final. She also became the first No. 1 in the official WTA computer ranking system.

1976: Non-participation in French Open

In 1976, Chris Evert did not participate in the French Open, opting to play in King's World TeamTennis.

1976: Skipped the French Open

In 1976, Chris Evert skipped the French Open to play in King's World TeamTennis.

1976: Wimbledon and US Open Titles and Sports Illustrated Award

In 1976, Chris Evert won both Wimbledon and the US Open, defeating Evonne Goolagong Cawley at both events. She was also named Sports Illustrated's Sportsman of the Year, the first woman to be the sole recipient of the honor.

1977: Non-participation in French Open

In 1977, Chris Evert did not participate in the French Open, opting to play in King's World TeamTennis.

1977: Year-End No. 1 Ranking

In 1977, Chris Evert finished the year ranked as the world No. 1 in women's singles for the third consecutive year.

1977: US Open Win at Forest Hills and Wimbledon Semifinal Loss

In 1977, Chris Evert won the US Open played at Forest Hills on clay, but lost to eventual champion Virginia Wade in the Wimbledon Championships semifinal. She skipped the French Open to play in King's World TeamTennis.

1978: Non-participation in French Open

In 1978, Chris Evert did not participate in the French Open, opting to play in King's World TeamTennis.

1978: World's Number One Player

In 1978, Chris Evert was ranked number one in the world at the end of the year by multiple tennis publications.

1978: US Open Win at Flushing Meadow

In 1978, Chris Evert won the inaugural US Open championship held on hard courts at Flushing Meadow. She also skipped the French Open for the third consecutive year to play in King's World TeamTennis.

May 12, 1979: End of Clay Court Winning Streak

On May 12, 1979, Chris Evert's 125-match clay court winning streak was broken when she lost to Tracy Austin in the Italian Open semifinal.

1980: Non-participation in Australian Open

In 1980, Chris Evert did not participate in the Australian Open, continuing a series of absences due to the tournament's decline in status.

1980: Year-End No. 1 Ranking

In 1980, Chris Evert finished the year ranked as the world No. 1 in women's singles for the fourth time.

1980: World's Number One Player

In 1980, Chris Evert was ranked number one in the world at the end of the year by multiple tennis publications.

1980: French Open Title

In 1980, Chris Evert won the French Open, contributing to another clay court streak of 64 matches.

1981: Year-End No. 1 Ranking

In 1981, Chris Evert finished the year ranked as the world No. 1 in women's singles for the fifth time.

1981: World's Number One Player

In 1981, Chris Evert was ranked number one in the world at the end of the year by multiple tennis publications.

1981: French Open Semifinal Loss

In 1981, Chris Evert's second clay court streak ended with a semifinal loss to Hana Mandlíková at the French Open.

June 1983: End of Semifinal Streak at Wimbledon

In June 1983, Chris Evert's streak of reaching at least the semi-finals in 34 consecutive Grand Slam singles events was broken at Wimbledon after a loss in the third round.

1983: Non-participation in Australian Open

In 1983, Chris Evert did not participate in the Australian Open due to the tournament's decline in status.

1983: President of the Women's Tennis Association

In 1983, Chris Evert served as president of the Women's Tennis Association.

1983: End of Consecutive Major Semifinal Streak

The 1983 French Open marked the end of Chris Evert's streak of reaching at least the semifinals in 34 consecutive major tournaments, which began at the 1971 US Open.

November 1985: Regaining the Number One Spot

In November 1985, Chris Evert regained the world No. 1 ranking at the age of 30 years and 11 months, making her the oldest woman to achieve that milestone at the time.

1985: French Open Victory over Navratilova and World No. 1 Ranking

In 1985, Chris Evert defeated Martina Navratilova 6-3, 6-7, 7-5 in the French Open final, securing the world No. 1 computer ranking for the fifth and final time.

1986: End of Consecutive Grand Slam Title Winning Years

In 1986, Chris Evert won at least one Grand Slam singles title, marking the end of her 13-year streak of winning at least one Grand Slam title per year.

1987: US Open Quarterfinal

In 1987, Chris Evert reached the quarterfinal in US Open.

1988: French Open Third Round

In 1988, Chris Evert reached the third round in French Open.

1989: US Open Quarterfinal

In 1989, Chris Evert reached the quarterfinal in US Open.

1989: Retirement from Professional Tennis

In 1989, Chris Evert retired from professional tennis after the US Open, having amassed 18 Grand Slam singles titles and 157 singles titles. Her last match was a win in the Fed Cup final.

1991: President of the Women's Tennis Association

In 1991, Chris Evert ended her role as president of the Women's Tennis Association.

June 2011: Joins ESPN as Tennis Commentator

In June 2011, Chris Evert joined ESPN as a tennis commentator for Grand Slam tournaments.

2015: Launches Chrissie by Tail Activewear Line

In 2015, Chris Evert launched a line of tennis and active apparel in collaboration with Tail Activewear, called "Chrissie by Tail".

2019: Member of Athlete Advisory Committee for Aurora Games

In 2019, Chris Evert was a member of the Athlete Advisory Committee for the Aurora Games.

2021: Support for Women's Sports Policy Working Group

In 2021, Chris Evert became a supporter of the new Women's Sports Policy Working Group, which opposed President Joe Biden's executive order mandating blanket inclusion for all transgender female athletes.