Chrissie Evert and Martina Navratilova faced off 80 times in an iconic rivalry that helped ignite the tennis boom.
Looking back, Evert says competing in an empowering era that transcended tennis gave her great satisfaction.
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In an interview with Ocean Drive Magazine to promote the 27th annual Chris Evert Pro-Celebrity Gala charity fundraiser at the Boca Raton Resort and Club next weekend, Evert was asked how tennis of today compares to the 1970s.
"There was a boom in tennis at that time. I loved being at the beginning when it was new and exciting," Evert said. "All the top women were really good friends. Martina and I warmed up together before we played each other in the finals of the French Open!
"It was about women and power and equality and fighting for equal prize money. I think that transcended tennis and affected women in all walks of life, not just tennis players."
In the 1986 Roland Garros final, Evert edged Navratilova, 2-6, 6-3, 6-3, to win the last of her seven French Open titles at the age of 31. Highlights of that final in the video above.
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