Tomljanovic on Chris Evert: “She went from being Chris Evert, the legend to mentor/friend, almost like, a second mom” Chris Evert on Ajla: “She's my daughter. I didn't have a daughter, I had three sons” Touching words from two incredible women 🥹❤️
"To me, she’s just Chrissie,": Tomljanovic opens up on close bond with Chris Evert
Tennis NewsTuesday, 29 August 2023 at 13:23
Ajla Tomljanovic has opened up on her close relationship with tennis legend Chris Evert.
Former World No. 1 Evert was a dominant force in tennis throughout the 1970s and 80s, winning 18 Grand Slam titles. The American is also tied with Serena Williams for most women's singles US Open titles won in the Open Era, with both players boasting six victories at the New York major.
Evert was also at the top of the WTA Ranking for an impressive 260 weeks and finished as year-end World No. 1 seven times throughout her career. Since retiring in 1989, the now 68-year-old has remained heavily involved in tennis, primarily as a commentator and analyst. However, she is also a mentor and friend to Australian player Tomljanovic.
Tomljanovic calls Evert a legend and a friend
Tomljanovic said that while she, like many tennis players and fans, considers Evert a legend of the sport, she is also just her friend 'Chrissie.'
"Everyone knows Chris Evert. She’s such a legend, but to me, she’s just Chrissie. She was the person who, when I was 14, she was taking me to yoga on weekends. When I was 16 and 17, I was talking to her about boys," she said.
The 30-year-old added that Evert's expert tennis advice is 'a huge bonus' to the close bond the two have developed over the years.
"Now that I’m an adult, we’ve created this bond that is so nice. The fact that she can help with my tennis is almost a huge bonus for me," she added.
Tomljanovic talked about bond at Wimbledon
Tomljanovic has opened up about their closeness in the past, most notably at the 2022 Wimbledon championships, where she reached the quarter-final.
"We’ve been in contact a lot, actually over the past few months we’ve been talking more than ever. She’s been there for me, like, this year a lot. It’s been so nice. We love each other, so we were there for each other in that way," she said at the time.
Moreover, in the Netflix docu-series 'Break Point', which follows several tennis players across multiple Slams and tournaments, Tomljanovic likened their bond to that of a mother and daughter.
"She went from being Chris Evert, the legend to mentor/friend, almost like, a second mom," she said. Meanwhile, Evert responded with the same comparison.
"She's my daughter. I didn't have a daughter, I had three sons," she explained.
Tomljanovic is currently competing at the US Open where she will face fourth seed Elena Rybakina in the second round.
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