'We were a much smaller group': Chris Evert shares insight about holding power during playing days

Chris Evert has shared how much power she enjoyed during her playing days. The 70-year-old retired from the sport in 1989. She lifted 18 Grand Slam titles in her illustrious career. Evert recently spoke to Tennis 365 during the recently concluded French Open, where she explained the kind of power she and Martina Navratilova enjoyed during her playing days.

“We had a lot more influence back then than players do now,” said Evert. “We were a much smaller group of people and if Martina or I said we didn’t want something to happen, it didn’t happen. Now, the sport is such a big business and we are talking about billions of dollars involved in tennis all over the globe with endorsements, sponsorships and TV. So it’s better that we have professionals running that side of the game and those who are on the players’ council with the WTA Tour can also have an input.”

Evert, just like Navratilova, has remained very vocal about different issues in tennis. Last year, she criticised the WTA’s decision to hold the tour finals in Saudi Arabia for the first time. Evert spoke about the issue in the same interview and stated that her intention was not to get involved in politics but rather to express her views on the whole issue.

“Martina and I disagreed with that decision on Saudi Arabia and we spoke out about it,” said Evert. “Now the decision has been made, that’s it. We won’t keep coming back saying we don’t agree with it. That’s not my role any more. I am not as involved in tennis as I once was. If there is a big issue I am well informed on and feel strongly enough about, then I will speak up. As for the rule changes in tennis and the politics around the sport, I don’t want to get involved in that. I have a life outside of tennis now and I’m happy with that. It is fantastic to have a platform to speak on issues that I care deeply about and having recovered from cancer, the chance to speak about that and encourage early detection for all forms of cancer is something I’m totally happy to speak out on.”