Tennis legends Chris Evert & Martina Navratilova talk rivalry, cancer battles and deep friendship

I watched so many matches in the 1980s between Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova and never thought that there would never be anything like it again. So far, there hasn’t been on the women’s side while the men have had the Roger Federer-Rafael Nadal-Novak Djokovic trifecta.

It’s a rare case of all-time great champions, world number ones, winner of every major tournament, playing at the top of their games for more than a decade (15 years for Martina & Chris) and in the end coming out fairly even in titles and wins and losses against each other.

It’s just a rare thing and the stars have to align for players with durability, immense competitiveness and an insatiable desire to win, and a champion’s courage and pride.

Chris and Martina had it all in spades and both wound up with 18 grand slam singles titles apiece with Martina holding a record 9 at Wimbledon, Chris a record 7 at the French Open and a record-tying six at the US Open (Serena Williams also has six). Both would have had several more had they not skipped playing the French and Australian Opens so often during their prime years.

They ended up becoming cultural icons along the way with tremendous fame and fortune.

Evert is now 71 and Martina is 69. They are both cancer survivors and were tremendous sources of support for each other during their cancer battles.

Thieir rare rivalry and extraordinary 50-plus years friendship is the focus of a new Netflix documentary that premieres on June 26.

The documentary features never-before-seen footage and rare interviews, and includes scenes where Evert and Navratilova watch some of their classic matches together for the first time.