History of Chris Evert in Timeline

Chris Evert is an American former professional tennis player renowned as one of the sport's all-time greats. She held the world No. 1 ranking for 260 weeks, securing the year-end No. 1 title five times. Evert amassed an impressive 157 singles titles, including 18 major championships. Her rivalry with Martina Navratilova defined women's tennis, as they collectively dominated the scene from the mid-1970s to the mid-1980s.

Sections (6)

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

1947: Father won Canadian Championships

In 1947, Jimmy Evert, Chris Evert's father, won the men's singles title at the Canadian Championships.

December 21, 1954: Christine Marie Evert Born

On December 21, 1954, Christine Marie Evert was born. She is an American former professional tennis player who achieved world No. 1 ranking and won 18 major singles titles.

Others born on this day/year

1954: Born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida

In 1954, Evert was born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to Colette and Jimmy Evert.

Others born on this day/year

1969: Ranked No. 1 under-14 girl in the US

By 1969, Evert had become the No. 1 ranked under-14 girl in the United States.

1970: Won national 16-and-under championship

In 1970, Evert won the national 16-and-under championship and was invited to play in a tournament in Charlotte, North Carolina, where she defeated Margaret Court, the world No. 1 player.

September 1971: Grand Slam debut at the US Open

In September 1971, Evert made her Grand Slam debut at the US Open.

1971: Grand Slam debut

In 1971, Evert reached the semifinals or better in 52 of the 56 majors she played, including at 34 consecutive majors entered from the 1971 US Open through the 1983 French Open.

1971: Grand Slam tournament debut at US Open

In 1971, at age 16, Evert made her Grand Slam tournament debut at the US Open and reached the semifinal.

August 1973: Clay court winning streak began

In August 1973, Evert began a streak of 125 consecutive matches won on clay courts.

1973: Graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas High School

In 1973, Evert graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale.

1973: Runner-up at French Open and Wimbledon

In 1973, Evert was the runner-up at the French Open and the Wimbledon Championships.

November 8, 1974: Wedding Called Off

On November 8, 1974, Chris Evert's wedding to Jimmy Connors was scheduled, but the romance did not last, and the wedding was called off.

1974: Began streak of winning at least one Grand Slam title a year

In 1974, Evert began a streak of winning at least one Grand Slam singles title a year, which lasted for 13 consecutive years through 1986.

1974: Ranked number one

In 1974, Evert was ranked number one in the world at the end of the year by Tennis magazine.

1974: Chris Evert (horse) won Filly Triple Crown

In 1974, the racehorse named after Chris Evert won the U.S. Filly Triple Crown, was voted the Eclipse Award for Outstanding 3-Year-Old Filly, and was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.

1975: President of the Women's Tennis Association

In 1975, Evert began her tenure as president of the Women's Tennis Association, a role she held for eleven years across two periods.

1975: Defeated Navratilova at French Open

In 1975, Evert defeated Navratilova at the French Open 2–6, 6–2, 6–1 to defend her title from the previous year.

1975: Did not participate in the Australian Opens

In 1975, Evert didn't participate in the Australian Opens.

1975: President of WTA

In 1975, Evert served as president of the Women's Tennis Association.

1975: Won French and US Open titles; WTA ranking system instituted

In 1975, Evert won her second French Open and the first of four straight US Open titles. The official WTA computer ranking system was instituted, with Evert being the first No. 1.

1976: Did not participate in the French Opens

In 1976, Evert didn't participate in the French Opens.

1976: Skipped French Open

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

1976: Sportswoman of the Year

In 1976, Evert was Sports Illustrated magazine's sole recipient of "Sportswoman of the Year" award.

1976: Won Wimbledon and US Open; Sports Illustrated's Sportswoman of the Year

In 1976, Evert won both Wimbledon and the US Open. She also earned Sports Illustrated's Sportswoman of the Year award.

1977: Did not participate in the French Opens

In 1977, Evert didn't participate in the French Opens.

1977: Won US Open at Forest Hills

In 1977, Evert won the final US Open played at Forest Hills on clay.

1978: Did not participate in the French Opens

In 1978, Evert didn't participate in the French Opens.

1978: Ranked number one

In 1978, Evert was ranked number one in the world at the end of the year by Tennis magazine.

1978: Won US Open at Flushing Meadow

In 1978, Evert won the inaugural US Open championship held on hard courts at Flushing Meadow.

1978: Tennis Bracelet Incident at US Open

In 1978, during a match at the US Open, Chris Evert's diamond line bracelet, a gift from Jimmy Connors, fell from her wrist. This incident led to diamond line bracelets being called "tennis bracelets."

May 12, 1979: Clay court winning streak broken

On May 12, 1979, Evert's 125-match clay court winning streak was broken by Tracy Austin in a semifinal of the Italian Open.

1979: Marriage to John Lloyd

In 1979, Chris Evert married British tennis player John Lloyd and changed her name to Chris Evert Lloyd.

1980: Did not participate in the Australian Opens

In 1980, Evert didn't participate in the Australian Opens.

1980: Ranked number one

In 1980, Evert was ranked number one in the world at the end of the year by Tennis magazine.

1980: Won French Open

In 1980, Evert won a title at the French Open, extending her clay court streak before it ended.

1981: Lost to Hana Mandlikova at French Open

In 1981, Evert had a semifinal loss to eventual winner Hana Mandlíková at the French Open.

1981: Ranked number one

In 1981, Evert was ranked number one in the world at the end of the year by Tennis magazine.

June 1983: Lost in the third round at Wimbledon

In June 1983, Evert lost in the third round at Wimbledon.

1983: Won French Open Title

In 1983, Chris Evert won one of her seven French Open titles.

1983: President of the Women's Tennis Association

In 1983, Evert began her tenure as president of the Women's Tennis Association, a role she held for eleven years across two periods.

1983: Did not participate in the Australian Opens

In 1983, Evert didn't participate in the Australian Opens.

1983: Reached the semifinals

In 1983, Evert reached the semifinals or better in 52 of the 56 majors she played, including at 34 consecutive majors entered from the 1971 US Open through the 1983 French Open.

1983: President of WTA

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

April 1985: Voted Greatest Woman Athlete of the Last 25 Years

In April 1985, Evert was voted the "Greatest Woman Athlete of the Last 25 Years" by the Women's Sports Foundation.

November 1985: Regained the number-one spot

In November 1985, Evert regained the number-one spot at the age of 30 years and 11 months, making her the oldest woman to have reached WTA number one at the time.

1985: Defeated Navratilova at French Open

In 1985, Evert defeated Navratilova 6–3, 6–7, 7–5 at the French Open, capturing the world No. 1 computer ranking for the fifth and final time.

1986: Streak of winning at least one Grand Slam title a year ended

In 1986, Evert's streak of winning at least one Grand Slam singles title a year ended, after 13 consecutive years beginning in 1974.

April 1987: Divorce from John Lloyd

In April 1987, Chris Evert and John Lloyd divorced after separating and reconciling following an affair with Adam Faith, which they chronicled in their biography.

1987: Lost in the quarterfinal at the US Open

In 1987, Evert lost in the quarterfinal at the US Open.

1988: Marriage to Andy Mill

In 1988, Chris Evert married American downhill skier Andy Mill, after being introduced by Martina Navratilova.

1988: Lost in the third round at the French Open

In 1988, Evert lost in the third round at the French Open.

1989: Lost in the quarterfinal at the US Open

In 1989, Evert lost in the quarterfinal at the US Open.

1989: Retired from professional tour

In 1989, Evert played a reduced schedule and retired from the professional tour after the US Open.

1990: Jennifer Capriati reached the final at Boca Raton

In 1990, Jennifer Capriati, broke the record for the furthest a player had reached in her first senior-level tournament.

1991: President of WTA

In 1991, Evert served as president of the Women's Tennis Association.

1995: Elected into the International Tennis Hall of Fame

In 1995, Evert was elected into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

1997: Awarded the Philippe Chatrier Award

In 1997, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) presented Evert with its highest accolade – the Philippe Chatrier Award.

1999: Rated No. 50 among ESPN's Greatest North American athletes

In 1999, Evert was rated No. 50 among ESPN's Greatest North American athletes of the 20th century.

2005: Named fourth on list of 40 Greatest Players of the Tennis era

In 2005, Tennis named Evert fourth on its list of 40 Greatest Players of the Tennis era.

November 13, 2006: Divorce Filing from Andy Mill

On November 13, 2006, Chris Evert filed for divorce from Andy Mill.

December 4, 2006: Divorce Finalized with Andy Mill

On December 4, 2006, Chris Evert's divorce from Andy Mill was finalized, with Evert paying Mill a settlement of $7 million.

June 28, 2008: Marriage to Greg Norman

On June 28, 2008, Chris Evert married Australian golfer Greg Norman in the Bahamas.

October 2, 2009: Separation Announcement from Greg Norman

On October 2, 2009, Chris Evert and Greg Norman announced they were separating after 15 months of marriage.

December 8, 2009: Divorce Finalized with Greg Norman

On December 8, 2009, Chris Evert's divorce from Greg Norman was finalized.

June 2011: Joined ESPN as Tennis Commentator

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

2012: Ranked ninth overall in Tennis Channel's poll

In 2012, Evert ranked ninth overall in Tennis Channel's poll of the 100 Greatest Players of all time.

May 2013: Connors' Autobiography Controversy

In May 2013, Jimmy Connors wrote in his autobiography that Chris Evert was pregnant with their child and that she decided to terminate the pregnancy. Evert expressed disappointment, stating that he misrepresented a private matter in the book.

June 2013: Awarded a special merit from the International Tennis Hall of Fame

In June 2013, Evert was awarded a special merit from the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

June 2013: Rafael Nadal broke record of French Open singles titles

In June 2013, Rafael Nadal broke Evert's record of seven French Open singles titles.

2013: Serena Williams surpasses Evert's record.

In 2013, Serena Williams surpassed Evert as the oldest woman to have reached WTA number one, a record she had held.

2015: Launched Chrissie by Tail Apparel Line

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

2018: Rafael Nadal broke record of most clay court Grand Slam titles

In 2018, Rafael Nadal won his 11th French Open championship surpassing Evert's record for most clay court Grand Slam titles

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 was formed in opposition to President Joe Biden's executive order regarding transgender female athletes.