Chris Evert Quotes

Powerful Chris Evert for Daily Growth

About Chris Evert

Chris Evert (born December 21, 1954) is an American former professional tennis player, widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of women's tennis. Born to a family of athletic background in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, she started playing tennis at the age of five under her father Jimmy Evert, who was also a tennis champion. Evert turned professional in 1972 and dominated women's tennis for more than a decade. She won an unprecedented 18 Grand Slam singles titles, including seven consecutive U.S. Open titles between 1975 and 1982. Known for her exceptional baseline play and powerful two-handed groundstrokes, Evert's defensive skills and ability to counterattack made her virtually unbeatable on clay courts. Her rivalry with Martina Navratilova is considered one of the most memorable in tennis history. They faced each other 80 times, with Evert winning 42 matches. Evert retired from professional tennis in 1989 but continued to play in occasional exhibitions and senior tournaments until 2006. Post-retirement, Evert has worked as a television commentator for various networks, including ABC, ESPN, and the Tennis Channel. She authored several books about tennis, including "Chrissie: An Autobiography" (1989) and "Game, Set, Match: The Autobiography of Chris Evert" (2007). In 1976, she married John Lloyd, a former British tennis player; they divorced in 1999. In 1995, she married German businessman Greg Norman but the couple separated in 2006. Evert was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1995 and has been a frequent recipient of awards and accolades for her contributions to tennis. Her influence extends beyond sports, inspiring generations of athletes and fans with her resilience, grace, and unparalleled talent.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Champions keep playing until they get it right."

This quote emphasizes that champions are relentless in their pursuit of perfection. They don't give up when faced with challenges or setbacks, but rather continue to strive for improvement until they achieve success. It highlights the resilience, determination, and persistence necessary to become a champion in any field.


"I think you always have to fight for every ball, no matter what your score is in a match or what the score of the set is."

The quote emphasizes the importance of maintaining focus, effort, and determination throughout any competition, regardless of the current state of the game or score. Chris Evert encourages athletes to always strive for their best, treating each point as an opportunity rather than taking it easy when ahead in a match or set. This mindset helps ensure that one's performance remains consistent and competitive, fostering a greater chance of success in the long run.


"Winning isn't everything, but wanting to win is."

This quote emphasizes the importance of having a strong desire to succeed, rather than simply focusing on the outcome (winning). It suggests that possessing an intense motivation or passion to achieve can be more significant in one's personal growth and development than just achieving victory itself. In other words, it highlights that the journey towards winning, fueled by a genuine ambition, is just as valuable as the destination.


"There's always another level. Once you get comfortable with something, it's time to push yourself and go higher."

This quote emphasizes the importance of continuous growth and self-improvement in one's personal or professional life. When we have mastered a skill or achieved a certain level, there is always room for advancement. It encourages us not to rest on our laurels but instead to strive for even greater accomplishments after becoming comfortable with our current situation. The key takeaway is to maintain a mindset of pushing oneself beyond comfort zones to reach new heights and continually develop one's potential.


"Tennis is a perfect blend of art, sport, and strategy, which makes it unique."

This quote by Chris Evert highlights the multifaceted nature of tennis as a sport. She suggests that tennis isn't just about physical prowess, but also requires artistic finesse in movement and stroke play, strategic planning for match situations, and an athletic edge to execute these skills effectively. It emphasizes that tennis is not merely a game of power or speed, but one where aesthetics, skill, and mental acuity coalesce into a captivating spectacle that sets it apart from other sports.


I love hiking in the mountains in Aspen. Breathing the clean, fresh air is great. Plus, it gives me a cardiovascular workout and firms my legs.

- Chris Evert

Love, Mountains, Breathing, Legs

When I was younger, I was a robot. Wind her up and she plays tennis.

- Chris Evert

She, Her, Plays, Robot

I'm not an overly ambitious person; I don't feel like I have to excel.

- Chris Evert

Excel, Like, Ambitious, Overly

Even though there are a lot of bright tennis players out there, you still have to protect yourself and save all your mental and emotional energies for tennis.

- Chris Evert

Still, Tennis Players, Energies

If you're a champion, you have to have it in your heart.

- Chris Evert

Heart, You, Your, Champion

To be a tennis champion, you have to be inflexible. You have to be stubborn. You have to be arrogant. You have to be selfish and self-absorbed. Kind of tunnel vision almost.

- Chris Evert

Stubborn, Arrogant, Almost, Champion

I think team sports probably teach you more about giving - about being unselfish and being flexible.

- Chris Evert

Sports, Think, I Think, Unselfish

Find something that you're really interested in doing in your life. Pursue it, set goals, and commit yourself to excellence. Do the best you can.

- Chris Evert

Excellence, Doing, Set, Goals

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.

- Chris Evert

Think, I Think, Very, U.S. Open

When you're a famous, successful person at 16 years old, the rules change for you. Everybody is doing things for you to make life easier so you can go out and play. And I think you miss out on lot of growing up and a lot of reality checks.

- Chris Evert

Play, Doing, Everybody, Successful Person

I still have this image: I can't be controversial, I can't say things.

- Chris Evert

Image, Still, Things, Controversial

I was labeled at a young age - Miss Unemotional, Miss Cool, and that would carry over to my press conferences.

- Chris Evert

Cool, Young, Over, Conferences

Being famous before you've formed your personality, before you have that self-esteem, is dangerous.

- Chris Evert

Famous, Self-Esteem, Before, Formed

If I win seven tournaments in a row, I get so confident I'm in a cloud. A loss gets me eager again.

- Chris Evert

Again, Tournaments, Eager, Row

Relationships are give-and-take, and when you're a tennis player, you're certainly not giving. You have to be self-absorbed. It has to be about you.

- Chris Evert

Relationships, Certainly, Tennis Player

Every time, all the time, I'm a perfectionist. I feel I should never lose.

- Chris Evert

Lose, Never, Should, Perfectionist

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.

- Chris Evert

Give, Very, Petrified, Give Me

Tennis helped give me an identity and made me feel like somebody.

- Chris Evert

Identity, Give, Like, Give Me

If you can react the same way to winning and losing, that's a big accomplishment. That quality is important because it stays with you the rest of your life, and there's going to be a life after tennis that's a lot longer than your tennis life.

- Chris Evert

Winning, Rest, Big, Accomplishment

You've got to take the initiative and play your game. In a decisive set, confidence is the difference.

- Chris Evert

Game, Play, Take, Initiative

Losing hurts me. I was determined to be the best.

- Chris Evert

Best, Me, Hurts, Determined

Ninety percent of my game is mental. It's my concentration that has gotten me this far.

- Chris Evert

Game, Far, Gotten, Ninety Percent

You can't give up! If you give up, you're like everybody else.

- Chris Evert

Give, Like, Everybody, Everybody Else

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.

- Chris Evert

My Life, Making, Had, Flying

I'm not getting within 20 feet of a married man ever again - not even talking to one!

- Chris Evert

Feet, Within, Again, Married Man

Not every child is cut out for an individual sport.

- Chris Evert

Individual, Cut, Every, Sport

I was very, very shy as a younger girl, just petrified of people.

- Chris Evert

Shy, Younger, Very, Petrified

Losing hurts me.

- Chris Evert

Losing, Me, Hurts

You pay a price for everything in life.

- Chris Evert

You, Everything, Pay, Price

I always looked ahead.

- Chris Evert

Always, Looked, Ahead

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