Andy Roddick recently addressed doubts from fans about the lasting greatness of former American World No. 1 Chris Evert, emphasizing her exceptional skills and impact on tennis. The 2003 US Open winner praised Evert’s remarkable ball control, highlighting why she remains one of the sport’s all-time greats despite the game’s evolution.
Chris Evert, known for her fierce rivalry with Martina Navratilova, dominated women’s singles tennis for over a decade between 1974 and 1986. Over her career, the American secured 18 Grand Slam titles and held the world No. 1 ranking for a total of 260 weeks, establishing an enduring legacy in the sport.
Recently, some tennis fans questioned whether the achievements of legends like Evert still measure up in today’s game, which has seen significant changes in style and athleticism. Responding on his Served podcast, Roddick dismissed such skepticism, stating,
“Chrissy missed one ball a decade when the head of your racket was as big as the hat on my head. You can miss me with the f***ing looking backwards. The ball control, she could literally land it on a dime and not miss for days. Get out of here.” —Andy Roddick, Former World No. 1
Decades after retiring, Evert remains tied as the fifth most successful women’s singles player by Grand Slam titles, underscoring her lasting influence.
Highlighting Chris Evert’s Exceptional Clay Court Records
Chris Evert’s mastery on clay courts was a defining aspect of her career. She won the French Open seven times and achieved an astonishing 94.55 percent winning rate on clay, a record that stands out in tennis history.
On another episode of the Served podcast, Roddick praised her dominance on this surface, acknowledging its significance within tennis discussions. He remarked,
“Chrissy’s stats, if you read them back on clay, for a moment in time. They need to be discussed – and I am not saying they are the same as Rafa’s because they are not – but they need to be mentioned whenever anyone is talking about Rafa’s clay dominance.” —Andy Roddick, Former World No. 1
Roddick further emphasized that Evert’s extraordinary winning streak on clay earns her a top place in any conversation about dominance on a single surface. He stated,
“I think we all give Chrissy all the flowers that she deserves but in the context of the conversation around dominance on one surface, she needs to be right there in the first three names every single time. 125 straight matches on a surface is over years. That is absurd. It needs to be right up there. As dominant as Pete was on grass, Chrissy was more dominant on clay.” —Andy Roddick, Former World No. 1
Versatility Beyond Clay Courts
While Evert’s legendary status is often linked to her clay court exploits, her success extended to hard courts as well. Throughout her career, she secured six US Open and two Australian Open titles, proving her ability to excel across different playing surfaces.
Andy Roddick’s defence of Chris Evert highlights the enduring respect she commands among tennis greats, reinforcing her position as a player whose legacy transcends generations. As tennis continues to evolve, Evert’s records and style remain a benchmark for excellence, especially regarding her unparalleled ball control and consistency.