"People stare at us... If they do it for too long, Chris Evert stares back at them" - When American's then-husband John Lloyd lamented media spotlight
Chris Evert's then-husband, British tennis player John Lloyd, once spoke candidly about the challenges of fame that came with his marriage to the American legend. Lloyd also disclosed how Evert reacted to the intrusive scrutiny they faced when they were out in public together.
Evert and Lloyd tied the knot in 1979, attracting widespread attention due to the American's star status and nine Grand Slam title wins. They were both in action at the US Open later that year, with four-time defending champion Evert finishing as the runner-up to Tracy Austin, while Lloyd withdrew from the tournament before his third-round clash with John McEnroe due to illness.
Speaking to the press after his exit, John Lloyd disclosed that he and Chris Evert kept to their hotel room during their respective campaigns at the New York Major. The Brit admitted that they found it easier to order room service than dining out in restaurants where they were stared at relentlessly, revealing that Evert would typically glare back in such situations.
"We don't go out that much. Even in New York this week, we had room service for dinner most of the time. It's easier than going to restaurant, where people stare at us," Lloyd said (via the New York Times).
"I can understand someone staring for a few seconds, but not continually. It even happens in elevators and if they do it for too long, Chrissie stares back at them," he added.
Lloyd addressed the occasional taunts he faced from the crowd, such as being called 'Mr. Chris Evert.' The Brit emphasized that he didn't pay attention to the hecklers, dismissing them as driven by "jealousy."
"I don't pay any attention to them. They're just jealous," he said.
Chris Evert's ex-husband John Lloyd on being married to American: "When you marry someone who’s as famous as that, you have to swallow your ego"
Chris Evert and John Lloyd eventually divorced in 1987 after eight years of marriage. Lloyd reminisced about their time together in a 2022 interview with Tennis365, describing their relationship as stepping into a world that was "out of his league."
The Brit also admitted that being married to a global star like Evert required him to "swallow his ego," but emphasized that he didn't let that affect him due to his easygoing personality.
"I went into a world that was way out of my league. I think I had a little bit of preparation, but it wasn’t the same as being married to a world star who was famous beyond belief. You don’t think of it at the time and then you go to places," Lloyd said.
"When you marry someone who’s as famous as that, you have to swallow your ego and leave it a door, the front door. There were times when I was referred to Mr. Evert, and all that sort of stuff. I’m pretty easy going with that stuff. Rather than get confrontational about it, I just sort of let it roll off the back," he added.
Nevertheless, John Lloyd expressed his appreciation for the "wonderful perks" of the fame that came with being married to Chris Evert, from getting the best tables at restaurants to getting reservations at any plays and meeting high-profile celebrities.