Top athletes and tennis legends Chris Evert and Martina Navratiilova appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show to talk about their close, long-time friendship and stories behind the headlines, past and present. Top athletes during their days as tennis champions, the two women are still active, lively, personable and in terrific shape.
Fire and Ice
Evert and Navritilova were famous for their intense rivalry on the tennis courts in the 1970's and 1980's, so it may be a surprise that the former competitors are strong friends.Their polar opposite personalities led to their nickname, Fire and Ice. Off the tennis court the two women were close friends and very supportive of each other.
Chris Evert was famous for being stone faced and calculating on the tennis court. Evert said that her stony demeanor was at the advice of her father, who advised her not to let emotions show, lest opponents use her feelings against her. According to Chris, she was a natural athlete like Martina or Steffi Graf were, so her strength was the mental aspect of the game. Martina said that n she was on her own, so no one ever told her to hold in her emotions.
Chris Evert
Chrissy Evert was called America's Sweetheart when she burst onto the tennis scene in 1971. Jimmy Connors and Evert were both Wimbledon champions when they got engaged and married. The fairy tale love story did not last and the couple later divorced. Evert recently wed for her third time to golf champion Greg Norman.
Chris is now married to golf champion Greg Norman. The couple plans to add Chris Evert Tennis Schools to his many properties with Greg Norman Golf Courses. The two sports should be a natural combination for people and families who enjoy both sports activities.
Martina Navratilova
Martina Navratilova defected to America from communist Czechoslovakia during the height of the Cold war, in 1975. A fiery athlete, Martina was a pioneer as the first openly gay athlete. Martina talked about ho tough it was to leave her family and home country, never knowing when she would see them again. She did not see her mother for five years or her father for six years. She said that could never forgive the communists for ruining the lives of so many people.
In 1986 the Fed Cup was held in Czechoslovakia. Martina was unsure of how she would be received in the country she had defected from, but the crowd gave her a standing ovation. Chris said that the entire team was in tears at the power of the reception.
Martina is now living in Aspen. Colorado, where she called the meadows and Rocky Mountain views her church. Still in great shape, as she demonstrated in her outdoors workout.
Friends for Life
Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova gained fame as star athletes on the tennis circuits. Shared experienced have bonded former competitor as friends.
