A closer look at the most prolific rivalry: Evert vs. Navratilova

Chris Evert knows a thing or two about tennis rivalries, and she’s noticed something about Serena Williams’ career: The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion has not had many rivals.

Evert knows that her series of matches through the years against Martina Navratilova — including five finals at Wimbledon — provided compelling contrasts. She was 37-43 against Navratilova, including 4-10 in Grand Slam finals.

“We were like night and day. She came from a Communist country. I came from the ‘land of freedom.’ She was fearless. I came from this Catholic family, and I was fearful. Everything was different about us. We really brought along the groups of fans for the ride,” Evert said.

“People loved me and hated her or they loved her and hated me. People took it personally when we played.”

With Williams, in contrast, the player she’s faced most often is her older sister Venus — 30 matches so far, 50 fewer than Evert vs. Navratilova. So, Evert reasoned, maybe-their-all-in-the-family matches don’t generate as much “cheer for one side or the other” emotion.

Other opponents who might have offered that element — Maria Sharapova, Justine Henin or Sloane Stephens — don’t have a volume of work, or wins, against Serena that’s compelling. Stephens is 1-5 against Williams; Sharapova went 220; Henin trailed only 6-8, but that included just one Grand Slam final.

“Maybe it shows,” Evert said, “that Serena is just too good for everybody.”