Chris Evert revisits how then-fiance Jimmy Connors' advice played an instrumental role in her maiden Wimbledon triumph despite initial reluctance
Amid the excitement of the 2024 Wimbledon Championships, Chris Evert is celebrating the 50th anniversary of her maiden triumph at SW19. The American recently revisited how fellow tennis legend Jimmy Connors, who was her fiance at the time, played an instrumental role in her victory.
Entering the 1974 edition of the grasscourt Major as the second seed, Evert sought redemption after finishing runner-up to Billie Jean King in 1973. Fresh off winning her maiden Grand Slam title at the French Open, the then-19-year-old claimed a dominant 6-0, 6-4 win over Olga Morozova in the Wimbledon final.
However, the American's path to victory was far from easy, as she was nearly ousted from the Major in the first round. Engaged in a closely contested battle with Lesley Hunt, play was suspended with the score at 8-6, 5-7, 9-9.
Determined to stave off defeat, Chris Evert sought Jimmy Connors' advice after the suspension of play. The 18-time Grand Slam champion revisited the conversation with her then-fiance in a recent interview with the WTA, sharing that he had advised her to approach the net on Hunt's backhand.
"What should I do?" she asked Connors.
"Go to the net on her backhand," he replied.
Although Evert was initially reluctant to follow Connors' advice, as it wasn't part of her usual playing style, the American eventually convinced his compatriot with his astute analysis of Hunt's game.
"But I don’t go to the net," Chris Evert said.
"Go to the net on her backhand. Every time she comes into the net, she wins the point. She has a slice backhand, she’s not going to pass you," Connors responded.
Chris Evert executed Jimmy Connors' suggestion flawlessly, besting Hunt by exploiting her weakness at the net and eventually claiming an 8-6, 5-7, 11-9 victory en route to her maiden Wimbledon title.
"Jimmy Connors was great at getting me motivated" - Chris Evert on compatriot's 'good advice' for Wimbledon 1974 clash against Lesley Hunt
Chris Evert has opened up about seeking Jimmy Connors' advice for her opening match at Wimbledon 1974 in the past as well.
In a 2004 interview with the Independent, the former World No. 1 disclosed that she and Connors had reviewed the footage of her match against Lesley Hunt after the suspension of play, prompting Connors' suggestion to target the Australian's backhand at the net.
"I went back to my hotel that night and watched the replay of that match with Jimmy on BBC. He told me I had to approach the net on Lesley's backhand, which she always chipped," Evert said.
Although Evert confessed that approaching the net was the "last thing" she wanted to do, she eventually trusted Connors' judgment, which paid off in spades.
"That was the last thing I wanted to do but I listened to Jimmy's good advice. When we resumed the match the next day I came in on her backhand on the first point and it worked. I won the match pretty quickly [8-6, 5-7,11-9]. Jimmy was great at getting me motivated," she added.
Jimmy Connors joined Chris Evert as the singles champion at the 1974 Wimbledon Championships with a commanding 6-1, 6-1, 6-4 win over Ken Rosewall in the final to clinch his maiden title at SW19.