Chris Evert vs. Martina Navratilova

Chris Evert Lloyd d. Martina Navratilova, 7-5, 5-7, 13-11, final of the 1979 Eastbourne tournament.

This is something of a forgotten classic. It is not mentioned in Johnette Howard's great book, The Rivals.

But it left a great impression on those who saw it. Two weeks after it was played, Mike Williamson mentioned on Australian TV that "A lot of people thought it was the greatest womens match of all time." Wendy Turnbull added, "That was everyone's opinion."

This broadcast was by the BBC, and the commentator speaking is John Barrett.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• 1979
• Eastbourne
• Chris
• Evert
• Lloyd
• Martina
• Navratilova
• tennis

[MARKBPHARM]

Is the gentleman commentating John Barrett or Dan Maskell?

[krosero]

@MARKBPHARM That's John Barrett.

[raef203]

Wow, an absolute ALL time great match of this rivalry..thank you 100 times for posting this! may we see the last two games if the match? Match point...that would be exciting!

[krosero]

There are technical problems on my disc so I can't upload the ending.

[MARKBPHARM]

The rallys in this match seem even longer than in that epic French Open final these two played in 1985. Given the wooden racquets, I don't think you would ever see a match played between two ladies that demonstrated greater strategic and tactical capacity. It would make a fine teaching tool for young players now.

[krosero]

@MARKBPHARM Keep in mind that I picked out the best rallies, and often picked long ones. Those were my choices. The rallies at the French were longer, on average, though some at Eastbourne were pretty long.

[sandrovic1970]

Lordy!! On Martina's third championship point, Evert hits the line three times, then goes charging into the net!! There is a bit in the middle when you have the birds chirping, Chrissie and Martina playing a three-set thriller on grass, and you just feel that everything in the world is perfect...

[MrChickyBee]

Chris Evert is incomparable - utterly feminine and composed and a real lady in the true sense of the word. There has never been another like her...

[jesparza562]

I cant imagine top players today being willing to hit 10+ ball rallies on a regular basis.. it just doesnt exist any more

[EKevinS]

do you have the entire match?

[sebbyknight]

7.38 - John L has identical haircut to Chrissie.

Amazing match. Technical perfection with the massive incapacity of wooden rackets. Really breathtaking.

[jondavwal]

@hardsam68 I agree. She left it in Eastbourne. Too bad really.

[smancez]

Was that a top spin backhand from Martina at 2:54 ?

[twilliger123]

@dinh Ted Tinling designed all the star's tennis dresses back then. He caused a major furor in the 40's when he designed a dresses for Wimbledon with a line of color on the hem when they were supposed to be all white and then lace tennis panties for Gussie Moran. He was great!