Evert and Navratilova open up on heartwarming relationship including 60th birthday gift: "I'm kind of the guy in our relationship giving her jewelry"

Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova were the dominant forces of tennis in their day, but off the court their heartwarming friendship still thrives.

Tennis veterans Evert and Navratilova were strong sporting rivals during their careers. They faced each other in 60 finals, including the renowned 1985 French Open, considered by many to be the greatest women's singles match of all time.

However, outside of tennis, their friendship of over 50 years has endured. The two initially formed a bond as teenagers. At the time, Evert was the more accomplished player and won 16 out of their first 20 matches against each other. Despite this, by the end of their great rivalry, Navratilova would have 43 victories from their encounters compared to Evert's 37.

Speaking to the Washington Post, both women admit that Navratilova catching up to Evert put a temporary strain on their relationship. Indeed, Evert ended their doubles partnership as she worried that their friendship was affecting her competitiveness, saying that, at times, their bond has 'been up and down.' Navratilova adds that 'Chris, by her own admission, could only be close friends with people who never had a chance of beating her.'

Nevertheless, the pair are closer than ever today, as they navigate challenges, including both receiving cancer diagnoses within the same year.

The friends point out the 'eerie' parallels in their lives. Both have 18 Grand Slam titles to their name, both now work in sports commentary, and both have recently had to fight battles with a serious illness. Evert was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in January 2022, and in December of that year, Navratilova was told she had breast and throat cancer.

The pair were there to support each other, with Evert revealing that Navratilova was one of the first people she called after receiving the bad news, saying 'When I called her, it was a feeling of, like, coming home.'

Moreover, Navratilova spoke of how, following her friend's diagnosis, she barely ever took off the Cartier necklace that Evert had gifted her on her 60th birthday, until the need for her own cancer treatment. The necklace, which has three rings of white gold, is a symbol of their lasting bond.

'I guess I'm kind of the guy in our relationship, giving her jewelry', joked Evert.

Overall, the pair of tennis legends have found a deep understanding with each other, and Navratilova notes that 'I've known Chris longer than anybody else in my life.'

Meanwhile, whilst it hasn't always been easy, Evert highlights that, after having seen Navratilova 'at her highest and at her lowest', they have reached 'another level of friendship' where they can be 'vulnerable' with one another.