"Bring your lunch": Austin and Shriver look back on rivalries with Navratilova and Evert calling them a war of attrition

To celebrate 50 years of the WTA Tour, the historic rivalry between Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova was reviewed by former tennis pros Tracey Austin and Pam Shriver.

The iconic rivalry began in February 1973, when Evert beat Navratilova at a tournament in Akron, Ohio. It would go on for another 15 years as the players clashed 80 times, with Navratilova winning 43 while Evert prevailed 37 occasions.. A staggering 60 of those matches came in finals.

Austin and Shriver spoke on the difference in preparing to face both players, as each had battled the duo at different stages in their careers.

“Whichever match I led up to play Martina, the best preparation for me was to spend an extra half-hour after the match to get a coach or hitting partner and work on passing shots, lobs, and return of serve," said Austin. "It was going to be important to be grooved on those three parts of my game.”

“With Martina and me, it was a race to the net, so I’d try to get there before she did,” said Shriver. “And I’d hope I had a great day with my serve and my volleys. So I’d practice some quick volleys. I’d also practice more serves down the T in the ad court, since that was to Martina’s backhand.”

Austin was quick to point out that although Navratilova enjoyed the serve-and-volley game, Evert preferred the physicality of grinding out the point.

“Bring your lunch,” said Austin. “It’s going to be back and forth, left and right. Chrissie’s physical element is that you know it’s going to be a long point every time.”