US Open classic matches: Martina Navratilova vs Chris Evert, 1984 Final
Martina Navratilovaduring her 1984 final against her adversary Chris Evert
You can scroll down to watch the highlights of the match.
An in-form Martina Navratilova had set up a clash at the final with the six-time US Open champion Chris Evert in what appeared to be the re-match of the 1983 final between the two in the same Grand Slam.
The two have had a long standing on-field rivalry and they both were well aware of each other’s skills and weaknesses. But the momentum was with Navratilova, who had been dominating the ladies’ tennis circuit from the early eighties.
Between 1982 and 1984, she lost a mere six matches while grabbing eight Grand Slam titles. Moreover, the recent clashes between the two heavy-weights had seen her dominating Evert. Having beaten Evert in three consecutive Grand Slam finals, US Open ’83, French Open ’84 and Wimbledon ’84, Navratilova was the red hot favourite to win this encounter.
Their encounter in the 1983 final produced a heavily one-sided match with Navratilova winning 6-1, 6-3 in straight sets. But Evert was no ordinary opponent, with 15 Grand Slam titles already to her name, including six US Open titles.
Evert, in her pursuit to quell the Navratilova dominance, had been working hard on her fitness, serves and her shots. With the huge New York crowd cheering for her, the atmosphere looked ripe to start her campaign to gain lost ground.
Adding to Evert’s advantage that day was an erring Navratilova. After a tough first set, it was Evert who came out on top, winning the set 6-4, much to the satisfaction of the home crowd while shocking those who expected an easy win for the defending champion. The favourite had been stunned and the match was poised to turn into an exciting thriller.
The second set saw another spirited performance from Evert, inducing errors from the defending champion’s game. While Evert did create quite a few chances of going ahead even in the second set and possibly win the match, she could not pull them off. On the other hand, Navratilova, who is known for ‘her nerves of steel’ and her ‘never give up’ spirit, did not let the first set loss affect her game. She was quick to respond and was right back into the match after a 6-4 win in the second set.
The second set loss, after missing to grab championship-winning opportunities, seemed to have shaken Evert’s confidence. Her game was not up to the mark in the third and final set, compared to her display of excellent tennis in the first.
A much younger and fitter Navratilova was starting to prove too hot for the veteran, something that had been troubling her for a long time. She had not been able to fend off Navratilova’s surge in women’s tennis.
After an exciting match that lasted 30 games, Navratilova won the set the decider 6-4 to lift the US Open with a 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 victory.
The match will be remembered for the class of tennis exhibited by both players. The match also asserted the dominance of Navratilova in women’s tennis in that epoch.