Legend talk: Chris Evert on the state of tennis

By Stacy Steponate Greenberg
Chris Evert is one of the great tennis players of all time. Her looks and style also conquered hearts as she went about winning 18 grand slam titles and creating a legendary rivalry with Martina Navratilova. Today, the former world No.1 is a mother of three sons, works as a commentator and has a new line of activewear on the market as well. Excerpts from an interview:

If you added it all up, how many years have you spent on the road to play, watch and commentate on the sport of tennis?
18 full years as a player. About a decade as a commentator.

There has been a lot of talk about the strides women have made in sports. How have you seen things change?
More equality in pay. When I was starting, women weren’t admired as athletes. There has been a great increase in respect for female athletes and an appreciation for the image of a strong, healthy woman. There is greater infrastructure for women’s sports be it leagues, tours, professional teams.

You were, for a long time, the most famous female athlete in the world. What was the best part of that?
The confidence it gave me. Knowing that I had reached my goals because without success on the court, I would not be famous off it. So much hard work went into my success that I had and I still have great pride in my work.

(Image: @ChrissieEvert/Twitter)
In your prime, how would you have fared against Serena Williams?
Apples to oranges. Different equipment, technology, training. The physicality in all sports has changed and cannot be compared. So in a nut shell, I’d be happy with a few games.

How is your relationship with Martina Navratilova today?
Better than ever. There is a respect and history with us that we share with nobody else. And we aren’t competing anymore, so now we share a glass of wine. She has my back and I will always have hers.

Martina introduced you to Aspen. What does Aspen mean to you?
I met my former husband, and the father of my three children, Andy Mill, there. I take a house and still spend summers there with family. I love the naturally healthy environment and the activities such as hiking and rock climbing.

Apparently you travel with a lot of shoes. Any great packing tips?
I travel with too many pairs of Prada shoes. I bring 12 pairs and use three but I am always prepared! I pack 14 dresses for a two-week tournament. I leave them on hangers and zip them into Saks Fifth Avenue garment bags. Unzip, hang and unpacking is complete in minutes. Also, music. I always download new songs for my daily treadmill workouts.

How has the actual travel changed since you started?
Well, when I first travelled to Wimbledon in 1972, I travelled coach. I was 17 and didn’t have a coach or entourage with me. Top players today have teams of six in tow. People smoked on planes then. Imagine an athlete seated next to a smoker for six hours!

Complete the following sentence: I never leave home without...
A framed picture of my three boys.