Iga Swiatek’s reign on clay tennis is one to remember for years! With her third consecutive title at the French Open and four in total, Swiatek is inching closer to the woman with the most titles in Paris. Chris Evert stands at the top of WTA ranks with 7 Roland Garros titles and that’s in her almost two decades-long career. Swiatek is just 23 and well set to obliterate that number. But Evert’s then-on-court rival and now-off-court admirer, Martina Navratilova, is defending her potential to earn more success at Roland Garros.

In a conversation on the Tennis Channel Live podcast, Navratilova discussed the current Queen of Clay’s reign of terror on clay. Defeating first-time Grand Slam finalist Jasmine Paolini in 68 minutes with an easy 6-2, 6-1, Iga Swiatek will probably set an unreachable record of her own the day she retires. But for now, the previous record-holder has strong allies.

When the conversation drifted towards Chris Evert, the former World No. 1, Steve Weissman, the host of the podcast, began saying, “She missed three years from 1976 to 1978, playing as the World Team Tennis.”

Martina Navratilova, the former Czech tennis pro intervened and said, “She would have earned more if she played which none of us played because the tournaments or World Team Tennis was bigger than playing the French Open or the Australian Open.”

During the time when the American player competed there, Roland Garros was an outlier among the majors. The court’s red clay, which presented a stark contrast to the grass courts, was yet to be accepted by the tennis world. However, the newbie at the time, a teenager named Chris Evert, with her two-handed back-hands approach, along with playing and winning consecutive titles, inadvertently started a revolution in the French Open.

Navratilova added, “Times have changed now it’s all about the majors. Like then it was about the tour when blood on the US Open and then the WTA finals at the end of the year. So yeah, we it wasn’t that much about that but still when you want Roland Garros, you knew that was something special.”

With a record of 72-6 at the tournament, Evert’s achievement in tennis was only surpassed by Rafael Nadal later on, 112-4. But after winning two consecutive titles (1974, and 1975) she remained absent for the next three years. Allured by the World Team Tennis, which had greater significance than the traditional Grand Slams, Evert skipped ten of those Slam events (1975–80). But then she came back in the French Open tournament in 1979 again.

With her prowess on-court, within a period of the next seven years, she soon completed her seven grand slams at the French Open. Referring to this, Martina Navratilova, with whom Evert has played 80 matches, said that if she played more at Roland Garros, her Grand Slam count would have further increased.

Now the tennis legend is approaching a significant milestone – the 50th anniversary of her maiden Grand Slam victory at Roland Garros in 1974. This wasn’t just any win; it marked the beginning of a dominant year for the young Evert. Then-fresh off her Parisian triumph, she didn’t waste time celebrating. Evert quickly set her sights on Wimbledon, the next Grand Slam on the calendar. This early success hinted at the incredible career Evert would go on to have, solidifying her place as one of the greatest players of all time.

While she has found supporters all over the world, Evert’s former no. 1 rival Navratilova has always been a fan. It even extends to her off-court battles as well. Especially during Evert’s cancer battle, when Navratilova made sure to be by her side.

The time when Martina and Chris showed each other support during their cancer battles

Martina Navratilova’s battle with cancer wasn’t a solitary fight. A key source of strength came from her former rival, Chris Evert, who had faced her own battle with ovarian cancer two years prior. The tables had turned, with Evert now offering support to Navratilova.

When Chris Evert announced that she had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer for the second time, it worried her fans regarding her health. However, the 18-time Grand Slam champion soon found comfort in her friend, Martina Navratilova. Navratilova, who herself battled with throat cancer, showed her support for the ESPN analyst as they together spent some time, having food and enjoying each other’s company last year.

Later, Evert took to her Instagram and wrote, “We’re in this together! 💪🏼👊🙏 Thanks for the delicious food ⁦ @Martina❤️.” Their shared experience – the “emotional battle” of battling cancer – allowed them to connect on a deeper level. As both of them continue to support each other through the ups and downs of their lives, the tennis world will continue to witness their ever-evolving friendship!