Chris Evert echoed an opinion similar to that of Novak Djokovic on being friends with on-court rivals. Despite having a bitter on-court rivalry, Evert found a confidant in Martina Navratilova after she retired from professional tennis. The duo squared off against each other a staggering 80 times between 1973 and 1988. Out of the 80 matches, Navratilova won 43 and Evert won 37.
Similarly, Djokovic is hopeful of being on better terms with his arch-rivals Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer once he retires from the sport. He, however, recently stated that becoming “friends” with an adversary while being active on tour wasn’t always feasible.
“It’s true that we can’t be friends because with friends you talk about everything, the good, the bad, your secrets. With your rivals I don’t think you feel very comfortable revealing all that,” he told Marca.
With Federer retired, the Serb suggested that things might change once he and Nadal give up the sport for good.
“In the last 15 years I have seen more of Nadal and Federer than my parents. That means they have been a very important part of my life and my career. I have incredible respect for them and for the rivalry we’ve had for so long. It’s been a long journey together and when we hang up our racquets we’ll look at it in a more relaxed way,” the World No. 1 added.
Evert agreed with Djokovic, saying that she developed an amicable bond with Navratilova only after saying goodbye to tennis.
“That may be so, but the truth is, it is hard to be best friends while you’re competing… Martina and I reached that level in our friendship after we retired…. I get it, I lived it,” Evert wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
