"Do you realize the other girl is not sleeping because she's got to play you": Chris Evert's ex-husband recalls quelling self doubt before matches
Tennis News
John Lloyd,
former British No. 1 and ex-husband of Chris Evert, revealed the insecurities
and doubts that the American tennis legend experienced before her matches.
According to Lloyd, Evert struggled with anxiety attacks before her matches,
even when facing lower-ranked opponents in the early rounds of tournaments.
Lloyd
married Chris Evert in 1979, and they divorced in 1987. He was the first of the
three husbands of the 18-times Grand Slam champion and was with her until the
later years of her career.
Former
British Davis Cup Captain from 2006 to 2010, Lloyd shared insights in an
interview on the 'Rock n Roll Tennis' podcast, recalling the time when he was
married to and coaching Evert, the former world No. 1 and multiple Grand Slam
champion of the '70s and '80s. Lloyd mentioned that Evert had serious concerns
before matches:
"I
wanted to ask that because I'm fascinated by obviously great players and what
their feelings are, what they feel about. And obviously when I was married to
Chris Evert and was coaching her, the same thing as what you said, I was amazed
sometimes before a match when she would be really worried about someone,” Lloyd
said.
"And
I'm talking about in the early rounds of these matches where I knew 99.9%,
unless she tripped over, there was no chance that she could lose this match and
yet she was worried about it," he Lloyd added.
The former
tennis player recounted a night when Evert couldn't sleep due to concern about
the upcoming match: "And I said exactly the same thing. It's not rocket
science, I kept reinforcing it. I said, 'Do you realize, Chris, that the other
girl right now is not sleeping because she's got to play you tomorrow. When she
steps on that court tomorrow, you're already up 3-0 before you start. So take
care of business on your side of the court trust me, you'll have no
problem."
However,
Lloyd mentioned that despite Evert's occasional self-doubt, once she stepped
onto the court, she exuded confidence: "And it amazed me actually, not the
lack of confidence because as soon as she got on the court, she was
mind-boggling. But I thought to myself, if I was that good, would I have had
those doubts? And it was just interesting to see," he concluded.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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