Chris Evert
Chris Evert
Christine Marie "Chris" Evert, known as Chris Evert-Lloyd from 1979 to 1987, is a former World No. 1 professional tennis player from the United States. She won 18 Grand Slam singles championships and three doubles titles. She was the year-ending World No. 1 singles player in 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1980, and 1981. Overall Evert won 157 singles championships and 32 doubles titles...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionTennis Player
Date of Birth21 December 1954
CityFort Lauderdale, FL
CountryUnited States of America
The great high of winning Wimbledon lasts for about a week. You go down in the record book, but you don't have anything tangible to hold on to. But having a baby -- there isn't any comparison.
If you're a champion, you have to have it in your heart. You can have the greatest coaches in the world, all the opportunities to play, and the greatest equipment, but if you don't have it inside, you're not going to make it. On the other hand, if you don't have any of those luxuries but you have heart and courage and the guts to go out there and grind it out, then you'll make it.
You pay a price for everything in life.
I still have this image: I can't be controversial, I can't say things.
My first U.S. Open I think was just very special for me because that was sort of the beginning of what was a 'Cinderella' story for me.
Not every child is cut out for an individual sport.
I've had a lot of fear in my life, from fear of flying to fear of making a speech in front of a lot of people.
When I was in grade school and we had to write papers about what we wanted to be when we grew up, I wanted to be a social worker or a missionary or a teacher. Then I got involved with tennis, and everything was just me, me, me. I was totally selfish and thought about myself and nobody else, because if you let up for one minute, someone was going to come along and beat you. I really wouldn't let anyone or any slice of happiness enter.... I didn't like the characteristics that it took to become a champion.
Being famous before you've formed your personality, before you have that self-esteem, is dangerous.
You're always striving to play that perfect match.
I wanted always to appear strong and in control . . . .Then the cookie began to crumble.
When I was younger, I was a robot. Wind her up and she plays tennis.
There were times when deep down inside I wanted to win so badly I could actually will it to happen. I think most of my career has been based on desire.
I realized that with hard work, the world was your oyster. You could do anything you wanted to do.