"I will never forget Chris Evert did that" - When Tracy Austin revealed American legend's unexpected gesture for her dad after US Open final loss
Tracy Austin once revealed an unexpected gesture Chris Evert made towards her father after she beat the 18-time Grand Slam champion in the final of the 1979 US Open. Coming into the final, Evert was the four-time defending champion, while Austin was still a teenager at just 16 years old.
Austin made history as the youngest champion in the history of Flushing Meadows with her win over Evert, taking down the former World No. 1 6-4, 6-3 in straight sets. In the semifinals, she beat another 18-time Grand Slam champion, Martina Navratilova. On the other hand, Evert defeated Billie Jean King in the semifinals to reach the final.
The final of the 1979 US Open was the eighth meeting between the two, with Austin trailing 1-6 in the head-to-head. However, she pulled off a massive upset in New York to win the first of her two Grand Slam titles (second win coming at the 1981 US Open).
Revisiting that experience in her autobiography - 'Beyond Center Court: My Story' - Austin reminisced on how Evert treated her so warmly at the net afterward, patting her on the head and giving her a friendly handshake.
"In the final game, I fell behind love-30, then 15-40, giving Chris two break points. But Chris netted a forehand return on one serve to go to 30-40, and I hit a backhand winner up the line for deuce. That was one of my favorite shots. I always felt confident with it and tried to use it as a surprise after a few backhand crosscourts."
"After Chris hit a forehand long for my advantage, she weakly hit my second serve into the net and that was it, 6-3. I jumped into the air, ran to the net, and warmly shook Chris's hand. She patted me on the head..." Austin said.
Tracy Austin went on to reveal that Evert met with her father later, and told him that his daughter played 'very well.' It was a gesture that earned the American's appreciation, with Austin using it as an example to show just how 'classy' Chris Evert was.
"Minutes after the match ended, Chris bumped into my father under the stands. They had never met before. "Congratulations, Mr. Austin," Chris said. "Your daughter played very well. I'm very happy for you.""
"I will never forget that Chris did that. It was such a classy move," she said.
"Chris Evert never, ever, gave you anything" - Tracy Austin
Speaking in the book, Tracy Austin lavished further praise on Chris Evert, marveling at the American's tennis prowess.
Recalling how Evert never 'gave anything' to opponents because of her high-percentage shots, Austin stated her belief that she and the 18-time Grand Slam champion were alike in that respect.
"Chris Evert never, ever, gave you anything. Her shot selection was very basic--either to hit it crosscourt or down the line, deep or with sharp angles. High-percentage, well-thought-out shots. I obviously was the same as Chris, having fewer choices.." Austin said.
Austin ended her career with an 8-9 head-to-head record against Chris Evert, with their last-ever meeting going 6-0, 6-0 in favor of the 18-time Grand Slam champion.