Throughout the history of tennis, different eras have been defined by their hallmark rivalries, whether it be Roger Federer vs. Rafael Nadal currently, Pete Sampras vs. Andre Agassi in the 1990s, or Jimmy Connors vs. John McEnroe in the 1970s and 1980s. Oftentimes, these great rivalries are characterized by their great contrasts; this was certainly the case with arguably the greatest women’s rivalry in tennis history between Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova. Over the course of nearly twenty years, the All-American baseliner and the Czech-born serve and volley-er dominated the women’s game and each staked their claim to best women’s player ever (though Serena Williams has likely surpassed both in recent years) – even today, the debate rages on:
Who was better – Chris Evert or Martina Navratilova?
As one of the true individual head-to-head sports, tennis has always had its share of great rivalries between often very contrasting players, whether it be Roger Federer vs. Rafael Nadal currently, Pete Sampras vs. Andre Agassi in the 1990s, or Chris Evert vs. Martina Navratilova in the 1970s and 1980s, etc. One of tennis history’s greatest rivalries featured two American men, Jimmy Connors and John McEnroe, who were known as much for their volatile and bombastic personalities as they were for their skills with a tennis racquet. Throughout much of the 1970s and 1980s, Connors and McEnroe would sit at or near the pinnacle of men’s tennis, racking up wins, titles, and Grand Slams, as well as fines. More than 30 years after either man was last ranked #1 in the world, the debate still goes on today:
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