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Chris Evert
She dominated the tennis court from 1974 to 1986, earning 157 pro single titles, and was given the title of “The Greatest Woman Athlete of the Last 25 Years” from the Women’s Sport Foundation. However, what is less well-known about Chris Evert is that her ancestors immigrated from Luxembourg.
Photo courtesy of Britannica.
Chris Evert: About My Project
Chris’ great grandfather, John Peter Evert, was born in Clervaux, Luxembourg in 1856 and the Evert family immigrated to Chicago, Illinois just a few years later. Chris’ father, James, played tennis competitively in the 1930s and 1940s, and studied at Notre Dame with a tennis scholarship. After college, James became a professional tennis coach and moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Pictured: Chris Evert on cover of The Saturday Evening Post.1976. From "Winners: Leroy Neiman."
Courtesy of Gerald Brunner Collection.
Chris Evert was born in 1954 and began learning tennis from her father at the age of 5 years old. Chris became known for her two-handed backhand and remarkable speed, causing her to always be internationally ranked in the top four spots. She won six U.S. Opens, seven French Opens, three Wimbledons, two Australian Opens, and was unanimously elected to the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
Pictured: "Back hand (Chris Evert)." 1974. Serigraph. From "The Prints of Leroy Neiman."
Courtesy of Gerald Brunner Collection.
Chris Evert: Other Projects
Chris retired from professional tennis in 1989 after a final U.S. Open. She has stayed busy in her retirement with Chris Evert Charities, owning the Evert Tennis Academy with her brother in Florida, contributing to Tennis Magazine, commentating for ESPN, and launching a tennis and active apparel line.
Chris Evert: Text
Chris Evert: Text
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