Chris Evert vs Martina Navratilova - 1981 Australian Open F

Back when the Australian Open was played at the end of the calendar year (and on grass...check the bad bounces!), this contest between Chris & Martina was to determine the year-end #1 ranking on the Toyota Series points. Although coach Renee Richards holds up the 1-finger sign to Martina after the match, Evert held the #1 computer ranking into May of 1982. Still, Martina drove off with a Toyota car in addition to her prize money for this dramatic victory. Chris won the rematch in 1982. Video footage provided by chrisevert.net for the preservation of classic-era tennis.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• chris evert
• martina navratilova
• 1981 australian open
• ice maiden
• ice princess

[thadxxx]

wow. what a great match maybe one of their bests. Chris came so close but Martina was volleying just too well. They'll never be another Christ and Martina show.

[cityhulltiger]

Thanks for posting! Do you have the Aussie semi of 1988 between these two? Would love to see that match.

[johnblacklovesmar]

Evert stopped hitting out on her ground strokes and promptly lost the match

[BTURNER1961]

Great stuff on a court full of pits and circling wind gusts. Evert came back from 5-1 to take it to 5-5, not an easy feat vs Martina full of confidence on a grass court. You know you are in for a long day, if Evert's lob is working well in the first set.

[kljMN2]

There's a car in the back of the court? And not a very good one it looks like... LOL