Chris Evert vs. Tracy Austin: Famous 1980 US Open semifinal!

[KISSFANFOREVER1000]

Lynda Carter, then Husband Ron Samuels are at the match along with Chrissie's mother Colette. Colette, smoked in the stands, and I believe that she gave up on them, years later.

[etienne818]

I love watching the great Chris Evert and all the incredible stuff she comes up with! But, let's not forget Tracy Austin and her brilliance too! Tracy had beaten Chris for the US open title the year before - and would beat Martina in the US final the very next year (in the most exciting way - after being humiliated in the first set!) Injuries cut Tracy's career short, but, I believe, she would have had the same top-tier longevity that Chris had - had fate been a bit more kind.

[shottut]

Yeah I think you are right, I looked him up on the net too, and it would seem that .. it is him smoking.. or someone that looks quite similar. I was wrong .

[rnndy]

Chris Evert in her prime could beat BOTH Williams sisters at the same time

[gloss26]

I'm loving how Chris takes the ball right out of the air mid-court. Williams sisters who?

[sk8412c]

I love the way Tracy scampers around! But her face says it all - she looks a bit shell shocked.

[Riddley313]

Is that Lynda Carter (wonder woman) @ 2:58?

[KISSFANFOREVER1000]

@Riddley313 Yes, it is. That was a year later, that WW was canceled.

[bqndc]

Awesome D-T-L backhand by Chris at 4:50! And Tracy hits returns the favor at 6:07! Great classic stuff!

[sprboston]

who was the guy rolling his eyes in the stands, was that Robert Lansdorp?

[sprboston]

@shottut the guy smoking is Tracy's brother? That's the one I was talking about

[jpeyton62]

@sprboston at 2:56 is Lansdorp smoking. He had promised Austin to quit if she won the 79 Open, but he didn't. He evidently was and is a great coach, taught Sampras, Sharapova, Davenport, and Austin, just not necessary a great person.

[jpeyton62]

@jpeyton62 necessarily...

[shottut]

@sprboston Yes

[karrtt1234]

@shottut I am not sure if it is, I have looked at pics on the net, and it seems that the guy smoking looks like Landsdorp.. but I am not sure what Tracy's brother looks like either.

[jpeyton62]

@sprboston That is Lansdorp beside Austin's mother. Google some images of him...same sour expression some thirty years later.

[blackratpoo]

8:51. what an obnoxious fuck.

[jpeyton62]

@blackratpoo That is Robert Lansdorp who has coached Austin, Sampras, Sharapova,and Davenport. He evidently was not above being a total jackass in the stands and kept yelling "Come on, Tracey!!!" when Evert lost the first set to his then student Melissa Gurney at the 84 Los Angeles WTA tournament. It's funny that his students, except Austin, rarely if ever mention his name once they inevitably leave him.

[blackratpoo]

@jpeyton62 were tracy and lansdorp fucking?

[LMNFanNTVadBuff]

I saw Lynda "WW" Carter, then husband Ron Samuels, and Chrissie's folks in the crowd!

[CO767224]

Wow, Chrissy really played well in this one. Do have to say, though, that Tracy's movement seemed to be suspect here - not so much in its mechanics, but in her ability to anticipate and run. 4:50 is a good example, she hits a great shot and just stands there. It's really interesting to watch these old matches, I think the players paid much better attention to form than they do now

[mlaprarie]

@CO767224, agreed. Tracy is an aggressive player (check out her series of volleys at 8:40) but she just seems inexperienced here. Chris has superior control over the ball and keeps Tracy running all over the court for returns. Then after she keeps Tracy scrambling for 30 seconds and starts to wear her out, Chris nails it, always just out of Tracy's reach. And this happens over and over again. Chris's mastery of shot placement is undisputed in this match, IMHO.

[mdusablo]

Is it just me or are they both hitting really flat?

[yescanto]

@bmarch You know nothing, Borg never skipped the French Open he won 6 of 7 74-81, he lost in the quaters in 76, the eventual Champion Panatta. Chris skipped because all the other top women and herself were playing team tennis, and she want to beat the best players, she was also not motivated to win and be tops in the record books, like Martina. And the attendance at the Australian Open changed when they changed the tournament from Dec to end of January, to fit the playing shedule better !

[yescanto]

Forgot the word moved, when the tournament moved from Dec to the end of January.

[bqndc]

Swinging volley putaway winner by Chris in no-man's land at 1:36 is example enough that tennis was way harder back then because the shots have to be that much more accurate with a smaller racket head! I miss this era.

[sandrovic1970]

3:16 Probably the WORST "drop-shot" ever played!

[warrenw76]

Lynda Carter, looking stunning as usual at 2:59 -- I'll bet she has a wicked tennis game!

[Chinesse]

Well said. This match, Chris was more aggressive and it made the rest of her shots work better. Because she was controlling the rallies, her drop shot was killer

[kljMN2]

I've read in the past that these two didn't get along. Why?

[jpeyton62]

@kljMN2 Evert has been pretty frank about the intimidation factor that Austin had and that Austin didn't share Evert's humor the way Shiver, King, and Navratilova had. Another point of contention was that during their rivalry until Austin got spanked 60,60 in 82, she never gave Chris much credit. She even stated that she didn't pattern her game after anyone else's. The animosity at the time between Shriver and Austin though was far worse than the coldness between the two players here.

[BTURNER1961]

Those forehand drop shots border on cruel.

This is without question one of the finest performances Evert put forth in her career. She beat Austin down with her tactical mind and more versatile game.

[LobOverTheBackhand]

To this day, I still don't know how Tracy hit that forehand. That grip was atrocious.

[jpeyton62]

Love that look on Landsdorp's face after the swing volley at 8:40. Mary Carillo said that Landsorp's kept calling Melissa Gurney "Tracy" to get under Evert's nerves at 84 Manhattan Beach tournament. Gurney got a set there but only a game or two the next time they played.

[serenakicksass]

Tracy's serve sucked.

[chrisevertdotnet]

Please stop spamming each other's comments. Diversity of viewpoint is not something to shut down - Freedom of thought and opinion is welcome here. Thanks.

[tennisasdf]

wow. excellent tennis and no commentary at all ! that is simply amazing.

[KISSFANFOREVER1000]

@chrisevertdotnet I agree. I have no problems posting, on Chrissie's matches. Spamming, is ignorance.

[shottut]

I love the reference to "look it up", I find it amusing,especially when the people using it don't seem to know what they are talking about. It was said before, but was marked as spam (grafgirl27),Chris was ranked the top player for the years 74-78,80-81, and again it is a well know fact that she was ranked #1, in the world 7 times.

[jubbadupa]

@grafgirl27.. Well no one did, Chris was unanimously ranked the #1 player by all in 1980. There was no argument about ! WTA and International Tennis Federation... everyone ranked Chris the undisputed #1 player in 1980.

[yescanto]

How mature grafgirl27 spamming everyone that made you look foolish ...

[yescanto]

The mere suggestion that a Grand Slam was given less credit, than a year end championship or a series final, at any point in time, in regards to rankings, is just a ridiculous statement.

[48blackman]

Chris Evert was given the number ranking in 1980 (year end) undispustedly by all major tennis associations at the time, including the Women Tennis Association and the International Tennis Federation.

[heninwarrior]

@48blackman You are wrong. Tracy Austin was named the WTA Player of the Year for 1980. Look it up if you dont believe me.

[48blackman]

@heninwarrior Being named player of the year is an award, it does not mean you have been ranked or rated the top player of the year. Now why don't you look it up ... as I have said before Chris was ranked number 1,by the WTA you ... look it up !

[karrtt1234]

@heninwarrior You are the one that is wrong, I mean it is a well known fact that Chris was ranked number # 1 in the world 7 times, 7 years , 74-78,80,81. I think maybe you should be the one to look it up.

[heninwarrior]

@karrtt1234 In 1978 Martina ended the year as the computer #1 and was named the WTA player of the Year. You can look it up and I am right. So whichever you are referring to you are wrong already. In 1980 Chris did end the year as the computer #1, but Tracy was named by the WTA as their Player of the Year. As for 1974 there were no official computer rankings but Bud Collins named Evert only #3 for the year behind King and Goolagong. Anymore questions?

[Marchjoy1963]

@heninwarrior Yes the wta did give there vote to Martina, World tennis Magazine,Tennis Magazine (Aus),Tennis Magazine (US),International Tennis Federation,John Barret, Joe Macauley all gave their vote to Chris which is why she was give the #1, ranking for 78, that is how it works in case you didn't know, which obviously you didn't. In 1980 Chris was unanimously the world #1, and in 74 Bud was the only one to vote Billie Jean, Chris got all other votes.

[Marchjoy1963]

I missed the "n" at the end of "give". And I agree with you yescanto, grafgirl27 .. has just ruined the comments and flow on this postings page by her inmature behaviour.

[karrtt1234]

@heninwarrior Computer rankings never had anything to do with the year-end rankings. The computer which is controlled by the wta, didn't come into existance until Nov 1975, which is why from that point they year 1975, the wta would have a vote in the yearly rankings. When Chris took over from Tracy's 21 weeks at number 1 in 1980, she stayed there until May of 1982. Anymore questions ?

[karrtt1234]

@karrtt1234 ... from that point - forgot a comma, " the" not "they"

[shottut]

I don't understand why people who were not even around at the time, make such stupid comments !

[grafgirl27]

It is funny, you watch this match and you could never believe Tracy beat Chris 5 times in a row at one point. I imagine it was a mental thing of sorts since a match like this shows when Chris was on her game she was way better than Tracy.

[trent8002003]

So much harder to close out a point with wooden rackets!

[yescanto]

I absolutely love Chris's dress, it is so pretty..

[APH1991]

@yescanto, Tennis' first glamour girl.

[malcomino]

play with thos rackets was impossible

[zedlacredit]

Chris Evert Stadium.... has a nice ring to it, couldn't think of another player that is more deserving !!!!

[erection14]

where everybody get all these supercool tennis videos

[mor2thepnt]

Great posting.....wish this was on DVD somewhere! I'll say this for Tracy.....had she not had those back issues, it would have been a hell of a tennis period with Martina, Chrissie and her. No one, until Steffi, was able to take them both down consistently. Plus, though Chrissie held her emotions the best, I became such a fan, that I began to learn to read her somewhat. As for Tracy, win or lose, she never ever had a look on her face that indicated how she was felt. Love Chrisse though!

[spacecolt]

@mor2thepnt check chrisevert d o t net

[motomissle]

listen to how quite the game was before these stupid bitches started grunting

[mbblover]

i've read recently that tracy stated that years after this match she was actually having "her time of the month" and this in a huge way accounted for her sloppy, error filled and tiring big time towards the end of this match.

i think it was from tracy's autobiography?

true or false who knows! i do know that chrissie played great, smart and aggresive and that tracy had lost to andrea jaeger for the first time just before the open. so tracy wasn't playing that great around this time.

[shihlin1]

Chris has said she's friends with Tracy now, any truth to that? I think there was some bad blood b/w them after this match b/c Tracy refused to acknowledge Chris as the #1 player that year, claiming she beat her 3 times that year whereas Chris only won only once. That theory does hold water 'cept Tracy picked a bad tournament to lose to Chris, at a grand slam. Blame it on her cocky attitude. I think Tracy is a much more thoughtful and humble person now by the way she commentates on TV.

[karrtt1234]

@shihlin1 Well Tracy's 2 Slams semi finals in 1980, kinda pale in comparison to Chirs 2 Slam titles and I final.

[grafgirl27]

@karrtt1234 Well the Avon Championships was actually a bigger event than the French Open around the time so really it was like Chris and Tracy each won1 of the 3 biggest events of that year. Actually the Colgate Series final was probably bigger than either the Australian or French Opens at this point too, so in that sense you could even say Tracy won 2 of the 4 biggest events of the year. Some must have thought Tracy was an arguable #1 of the year as the WTA awarded her Player of the Year.

[karrtt1234]

@grafgirl27 That is absolute B.S. !! Just were do you get your information ? What a joke ... I can not be bothered to even got on ... rubbish ... the Avon Championships bigger than a Grand Slam... The French Open ... yet !!!!

[yescanto]

@grafgirl27 Without a doubt, probably one of the most idiotic comments left on these postings.

[jubbadupa]

@grafgirl27 You know that is ridiculous, just really a statement without merit. But even if there was any truth to it, just what is this other big event Tracy won in 1980 ?; as areadly pointed out 2 slam titles and the runner up in the Big One, kind of over shadow 2 slam semi-finals !

[shihlin1]

This match proves one thing -- if you got "Wonder Woman" on your side, you can't go wrong ! What a damn humid day to play a match in New York, those two gals are totally drenched ! Chris's mom Collette must've quit smoking b/c you don't see her puffing away in the stands like she used to during some of Chris's matches shown from the 1970's. Glad Momma Evert was able to give up the nicotine. And yes, nice win for Chris. Kept her in the game for another 10 yrs from what I hear from her fans.

[roter13]

why is this match infamous?

[jubbadupa]

@roter13 Because it was never broadcast to live televsion audience or on television ever. We only heard about it, or saw highlights. It was also an important match in this rivalry and for Chris because Tracy was #1, and Chris was trying to regain the #1 ranking. She had to win this match and she did.. she had lost 5 times to Tracy between September 79 and March 80. This was a huge match being a Grand Slam and the fact that Chris lost the title to Tracy the year before.

[Nicklas4500]

I just love the way Chris is so vicious here. Ruthless! It's all she can do not to smile, she's in total control. Btw, is that the handsome Virginia Wade in the crowd at 2:14?

[krtina455]

It's nearly as much fun to watch the crowd!

[jxcancan]

chris evert hits ball so softly , in todays game there is no time to prepare for shots like she did and u need power, speed and skill, im shocked how softly tracey austin hit the ball, no wonder navgetalegover beat em all time after 82

[spacecolt]

@jxcancan It's called WOOD racquets... ever play with one? You need more skill to hit with equipment that doesnt do the work for you & generate all your power. So then you need a MIND and MORE SKILL than today. That's why when ppl go to hit with wood now they say they cant even get the ball in the court!

[jxcancan]

@spacecolt

i know what a wood racket it, but they cant hit the balls like girls today, the old ladies were lame and not agressive enough, they wernt as fit as martina which is why she destroyed them and she was blown away by steffi speed and power, evert and austin couldnt volley to save thier lives and as for their serves they were pitiful, the womans game got feircer and not just because of graphite but because they stopped playing like ladies and immitated then mens styles

[spacecolt]

@jxcancan Martina was 7-5 against Chris in their final dozen meetings, so I dont know where you get your play-pretend information. Sounds like you werent around & know only second hand accounts, likely from drunken older friends who don't recall the details with any realism. But hopefully you'll watch more clips & glean more accurate information if you are interested. You're free to go on believing in that fairytale if you like though.

[Marchjoy1963]

@jxcancan First of all Chris Evert was an good volleyer, and by the mere fact that you say she could not, only shows your age, but the fact that you listen to the commentary too much, and obviously don't know what you are talking about.Can't hit the ball like the girls today really ... then look at Steffi and Chris's Boca match here !

[Marchjoy1963]

@jxcancan And as far a the ladies games... they are all baseliners... emulating Chris Evert ! They hardly play like the men... And by the way someone that can't volley, wouldn't have 38 Doubles titles ... 3 of them being Grand Slams doubles titles. You really don't know what you are talking about.

[builtboi]

do you have 1985 virginia slims of florida final?

[jokerwildest]

You can certainly she that Chris is not tentative like she was in 79, she is dictating the rallies and looks completely focused. It is a beautifull thing to watch !

[yescanto]

@jokerwildest I think you meant to say see and not "she".

[jokerwildest]

@yescanto You are right, thank you !

[shottut]

contin... Even when Tracy got out to a 4-0 lead in the first set, you could feel the mood in the crowd. They excepted Chris to loose. She made some unforced errors at the beginning, but setteld down;and dismantled Tracy's game. It was a great performance that meant much to her.When the match was over, she went to the ref's office below the court, and call her father, and told him she won; and burst into tears.

[shottut]

In Joanette Howard's book they talk about the period that Chris lost 3 times to Tracy indoors at the top 1980, twice in a RR and then the Final, and then the final the next week. She had lost the US Open Final to her , and lost 7-5,6-3, at the Porshe Championships near the end of 1979. So this match was a huge deal, and it wasn't broadcasted that I can remember. The media was all over Chris after losing to Tracy at beginning of 1980.

[zedlacredit]

Chris had apparently spoke to Pam Shriver's coach Don Candy before this match; and he told Chris that she needed to be the aggressor in the match, or she would loose. Chris dictated and was patient, unlike when she had lost to Tracy in the Open the previous year, or the other times in between this match, where she had lost her patience.

[hardsam68]

they say Tracy had 'womes business' mid way through the first set. Was that true? You get the feeling these two didnt like each other

[milot1masha]

Tennis back then was so slow..Till Monica Seles Came then when Power started to mix into womens Game..

[hardsam68]

Tracy wasnt well in this match

[randoir]

Thanks for posting; this is an awesome blast from the past.  So many great rallies to enjoy.

Truly a champion for the ages, CE would have done well in any era, with her fierce determination, nerves inside an emotional fortress, clean strokes, point construction of a world class tactician, shot variety and super efficient movement. Additionally I love the crisp, flat groundies, penetrating serve and highly effective net skills.

[juancarlos772652]

As others have said, Chris Evert seems to always be on balance when hitting her shots and was so mentally tough. She's got excellent depth on her groundies and she can definitely volley. Those strengths are very obvious in this match. On the other hand, I just feel that she's got an awkward swing on her forehand side. Or is that how they used to play back then?

[spacecolt]

@juancarlos772652 Interesting JuanCarlos!! Yes, she hit an entirely flat ball... so there is no 'safety net' of the top spin shot forcing the ball to stay in; it required perfect timing but she also hits bullets with it because it doesnt loop into play! They had more time 2 hit shots, but that means more time to think & possibly make an error too; nowadays you work from a reactive, less conscious place. Different eras, diff challenges!

[juancarlos772652]

I think it's interesting to notice the difference in the pace of the shots back then and now. It just seems that the players then had time to relax after their shots, but now that's impossible to do because you have to be always on your toes.

[hardsam68]

Mrs Ausin's reactions are priceless. I wander if both Mother's liked each other...Dont think so somehow. This revenge win was equal that year to Evonne's wunderful upset of Chris at Wimbledon in the finals

[hardsam68]

Mrs Ausin's reactions are priceless. I wander if both Mother's liked each other...Dont think so somehow. This revenge win was equal that year to Evonne's wunderful upset of Chris at Wimbledon in the finals

[bqndc]

Chrissie sure had gazillion winners in this match. So much variety in their shots, especially Chris!

[iamthebest19]

i dnt get it, how is dis infamous???

[shottut]

Thanks for the great post, I have never seen anything from this match. What a great treat !

[MARKBPHARM]

In Max Bellamy's book 'Love Thirty' he refers to this match as being one of Evert's favourite of her entire career. (Evert said she ranked this with her 85 & 86 French Open wins and that absolute whallopping she gave poor Monica Seles in the 1989 US Open quaters) Apparently she had an overwhelming desire to hammer Austin into the ground like a tent peg, as revenge for dethroning Evert in the previous year's US Open Final. I guess its that hate-on-the-court attitude that makes a great champion.

[hardsam68]

@MARKBPHARM Its well documented that Tracy was feeling her period at 4-0 in the first set. Tracy played terribly and thats why Evert won

[juancarlos772652]

@MARKBPHARM

Markbpharm,

Evert counts her win against 15-year old Monica Seles at the 1989 USO quarters as one of Evert's "favorites"?  Why?

[MARKBPHARM]

@juancarlos772652 In Max Bellamy's book he does not say why Evert felt that way, only that she did. (I am guessing now but maybe because Seles had defeated Evert earlier in the season at Houston I think it was)

[Marchjoy1963]

@juancarlos772652 It was because Chris felt that her concentration was so good in the match ... she felt like she was 17 again. Remember this was her last tourament.

[BTURNER1961]

Incredible forehand dropshots and lobs.  Evert was so deceptive.

[bqndc]

Great tennis! This is how I want to be playing at the club and league levels. I'd be happy to have all the shots that these two owned.

[Nicklas4500]

You can see that Chris enjoyed this one. She's really fired up and just went for it.

[StevieNicksfann]

lol I love how this is edited for Evert fans showing only mostly the points she won

[spacecolt]

well, for the 6-1 6-1 it covers, she did win almost every major rally. but yeah the videos are for chris' facebook page...still nice that they're here too.

[kangaroosbraun]

wow, this match looked spiteful

[kangaroosbraun]

Someone said Tracy had her 'womens business' not long after this match started and thats why she lost so badly

[RaleighNC306]

LOL @ Robert Lansdorp at 8:46...he style of play is the reason Tracy ( and now Maria ) had so many injuries. At least in my opinion.