Chris Evert on Jennifer Brady: It's Her Time

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Chris Evert on Jennifer Brady: It's Her Time

Add six-time US Open champion Chris Evert to the list of people that have been blown away by Jennifer Brady’s performance at the 2020 US Open. The American legend, who had Brady at her Academy for many years in Brady’s formative years, says that the biggest ingredient to Brady’s breakout success at this year’s US Open is her maturity.

“She’s matured,” said Evert on ESPN after Brady powered past Yulia Putintseva, 6-3 6-2. “We had her at our academy when she was ten years old. Really developed her game until she was 18.”

Evert says that she knew from a young age that Brady had a unique game.

“She played like a guy, and I mean that in a good way,” Evert said. “She had a lot of topspin, she moved so well, covered the court well, had a lot of power, had a kick serve, probably when she was 12 years old, but didn’t have the maturity.”

Brady, who has yet to drop a set in New York this year, has won 10 of 11 matches since the WTA restart. She won her maiden career title at Lexington, defeating Jil Teichmann in the final, and will face either Naomi Osaka or Shelby Rogers in the semifinals at the US Open.

Brady has talked about needing the time to grow into her game as well. This week in New York he was asked about her success in 2017, when she reached the round of 16 at two majors and became a much more widely known commodity.

“I don't think I was really ready physically or mentally to make the fourth round of two slams in one year,” Brady said. “Definitely came as a huge surprise to me. Honestly, I didn't really believe that I belonged at that level or that it was achievable for me. So to be honest, I wasn't ready mentally or physically before it. And, you know, this year, starting the beginning of the year, I felt like a different player. I'm not putting expectations on myself but also not surprised when I'm doing well at a tournament.”

Evert says that it’s normal for some players. Not everybody is ready for the rigors of the tour, mentally, physically or emotionally.

“I can’t believe she won Lexington and she’s played five matches here so far, and she hasn’t had a letdown,” Evert said. “She’s come into her own right now, she’s matured. Listen some players mature later on, and some mature very, very young, so this is her time right now.”

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