'I feel like Coco Gauff right now': Tribute to celebrate golden jubilee of first US Open title left Chris Evert emotional

Former world number one Chris Evert was left emotional after watching a tribute paid to her on the 50th anniversary of her first US Open triumph. The 70-year-old secured her first triumph in New York back in 1975, where she defeated Evonne Goolagong of Australia in the final with a score of 5-7, 6-4, 6-2.

Evert, who is working with ESPN, was paid tribute to celebrate the 50th anniversary of that famous triumph, which moved her to tears. She ended up comparing herself to America’s Coco Gauff, who cried after losing a game during the match against Croatia’s Donna Vekic. "I feel like Coco Gauff right now," said Evert. "I'm sorry."

In the video, a few of her opponents, including former world number ones Billie Jean King and Martina Navratilova, paid tribute to Evert as well. "She's one of my favourite human beings," said King. "There was something extremely relatable. She brought new fans to the game and made little girls and boys think, 'Oh, I think I can do this. I can follow in those footsteps,” said Navratilova.

Former men’s world number one John McEnroe also had some words of humour to pay tribute to Evert, who ended up marrying his former rival Jimmy Conor. "The attention you brought to the sport, however, made me want to be a tennis player, and thankfully, I became one," McEnroe said to Evert. "And finally, like millions of other young boys I wanted to marry you, I admit it. Then you got engaged to Jimmy Connors. I hated that. If I ever play that guy, going to beat his a--. Chrissie, I love you, congrats. Glad I can call you a friend."

Incredible record

Evert’s success in the 1975 US Open was her first of six titles at the Flashing Meadows. Four of those came in consecutive years (1975, 1976, 1977 and 1978) as well. Evert’s last US Open title came in 1982, where she defeated Hana Mandlikova in the final in straight sets with a score of 6-3, 6-1.

Evert’s overall record while playing at the US Open was second to none. One of the most remarkable records of Evert while playing in New York is the fact that she appeared in the main round of the competition in the singles edition 19 times and was never knocked out before the quarterfinals stage. In the first 16 appearances, she ended up at least in the semifinals on every occasion. Other than winning the title six times, Evert finished as the runner-up on three occasions as well.

In 1979, while playing her fifth consecutive US Open final, Evert finally suffered a defeat to another former world number one, Tracy Austin, in straight sets with a score of 6-4, 6-3. Evert’s second defeat in the final of the US Open in 1983, where she came second-best against Navratilova in straight sets with a score of 6-1, 6-3. A year later, Evert once again came short in the final of the fourth and the final Grand Slam of the year, once again to Navratilova, with a score of 4-6, 6-4, 6-4.

Evert’s last appearance at the US Open in the singles category was in 1989, where she was knocked out after losing in the quarterfinal to America’s Zina Garrison in straight sets with a score of 7-6, 6-2. Evert finished her career with 18 Grand Slam titles in the singles category. The French Open was her most successful competition, where she lifted the title seven times in just 13 appearances. She featured in 78 matches at the Roland Garros and won 72 of them. Her last major title also came in Paris in 1986, where she defeated Navratilova in the final with a score of 2-6, 6-3, 6-3.