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
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.
You're always striving to play that perfect match.
When I was younger, I was a robot. Wind her up and she plays tennis.
A champion hates to lose even more than she loves to win.
I was very, very shy as a younger girl, just petrified of people. Tennis helped give me an identity and made me feel like somebody.
When I play, I'm boiling inside. I just try not to show it because it's a lack of composure, and if you give in to your emotions after one loss, you're liable to have three or four in a row.
... after being at the top, I don't think I could play senior tournaments, because you know how good you were. I don't know if I would enjoy that, being half of what I was.
I think team sports probably teach you more about giving - about being unselfish and being flexible.
The difference is almost all mental. The top players just hate to lose. I think that's the difference. A champion hates to lose even more than she loves to win.
Single-mindedness. I hate to say it because I don't think it's the best thing for developing a person, but the single-mindedness - just concentrating in the one area - that's what it takes to be a champion.
Whatever your goal in life, be proud of every day that you are able to work in that direction.