Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova (L) and Billie Jean King | Image Source: Getty
Billie Jean King once shared insights into the locker room dynamics of her biggest rivals, Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova. She noted that the duo had very different personalities before a match, with each approaching the competition in their own unique way.
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King, Evert, and Navratilova always maintained a strong bond despite their fierce on-court rivalry. Although King belonged to an earlier generation of tennis compared to Evert and Navratilova, their shared respect and friendship never let that difference stand in the way of their relationship.
Naturally, the trio has often spoken fondly of each other, and King did the same in a 2008 interview with Vanity Fair. She described Chris Evert as someone who preferred a calm atmosphere before matches, while she and Martina Navratilova were more inclined to socialize. She also reflected on her thoughts about Bjorn Borg during the conversation.
"Chrissie is low razzle. That means she needs her cubicle—'Leave me alone, I need solitude, I need it quiet.' Bjorn Borg was like that, too. Someone like Martina, or me—net players, usually—we can chat, we’re, like, ready to go. Martina can play cards before a match, she can chat, she can socialize. I was a lot older than Chrissie," the 12-time Grand Slam champion said.
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About the author
Pritha Ghosh
Pritha is one of the driving forces behind Sportskeeda's tennis & baseball coverage, serving as an assistant content manager and editor. What began as a casual escape from her tiring biotechnology degree course in early 2022 has blossomed into a passion she loves, cherishes, and breathes every day.
Pritha’s love for the sport was spawned by her dad who showed her clips of "GOAT" Steffi Graf’s matches. Despite a thwarted dream of playing professionally due to injury, she finds solace in reporting the sport, while also mentoring other writers to ensure every article is error-free and top-notch. She double checks credible sources, such as the tournament/player handles and big tennis media outlets, and gives proper credit where required.
Pritha's journey at Sportskeeda is marked by nearly 2000 articles and close to 12 million views, with the "dream-come-true" moment of having her article shared by Chris Evert serving as a highlight of her career. A lifelong Wimbledon fan, Pritha also adores Rafael Nadal, Elena Rybakina, and Naomi Osaka.
When she's not seeking unique angles to elevate tennis coverage at Sportskeeda, she loves to channel her inner astrophysics "nerd" by exploring new sci-fi series and movies. A big Lionel Messi, Lewis Hamilton, and Randy Orton fan, she is always ready to engage in sports conversations anytime, anywhere, albeit not without a cup of coffee.