16-Year Old Chris Evert Interviewed in Florida-1971

Here is an extremely rare clip of a 16-year old Chris Everett from early 1971. Chrissy talks about how she developed her famous two-handed backhand shot. No ownership of this content is claimed.

[RobertDeMartin]

America's sweetheart handling this interview like the pro she turned out to be. What a wonderful perspective she had even at 16 years old. "Chrissie" is still number one in our hearts and I love the role she has as a commentator for all the top Tennis Tournaments in the world.

[annacanale]

WoW ! She has the same facial expressions! I love Chris Evert!

[hollywoodboss]

18 Grand Slam singles titles. A legend.

[Lava]

I adored Chris back in the day. Heck, I still do.

[kendaves]

The backhand that launched millions. Seriously the most influential player of the last half of the 20th century, in terms of the influence on the way the sport is played.

[ericfreeman]

This was the era that I had a big school boy crush on Chrissie. She was 16 and I was only 12. She and Evonne Goolagong were the two that made it alright to be girly and still be an achieved athlete (no disrespect to all the other greats at the time, like Margaret Court, who during her tennis career had children, and went back to winning slams).
I think that Chrissie has the most straightforward, simple strokes, that any beginner can learn. Then they can advance to more modern styles.

[lyledahlberg]

Thanks for that one. Chris was always my favorite.

[retromaven]

Wow! 1, 000 views in only 10 days! Thanks everybody!!

[brotherd]

was she practicing at holiday park in fort lauderdale? the fact that she won 18 majors with no serve is testament of pinpoint groundies and mental fortitude...no one hit the t's better than chrissy

[lancer]

I knew the answer to the trivia question because of Bud Collins. During telecasts, I heard him sometimes call her Christine Marie Evert. It was something he did with other players as well. James Scott Connors, John Patrick Mcenroe and Bjorn Rune Borg being other examples.

[kaivrock]

I never realized that back then she had a southern accent.

[lenwelch]

Virgins Wade said it first “ everyone copies the obvious her two handed backhand but what they can’t copy is her mind . No one comes close “ Chris hit her backhand in a unique way. She used her right hand the way one handed backhand players do and used her left hand just for support, along for the ride . The other players including recreational players push with their left hand in their two handed backhands . Chris pivoted her hips, rotated . This required Chris to be economical in movement to be in position . King said “ Chris is in position every time, perfect balance . The way to play her is to pull her out of position by overpowering her like Martina does “ . In 83 and 84 Martina won 13 matches until Chris improved her athleticism to get in position . Once she did Chris won 7 of the remains 19 matches they played . Chris was just 3 matches from leveling their rivalry 43-37 in Martina’s favor . Many who see this record think it’s 6 matches but if you take a win away and give it to Chris then it’s 38-42. So it’s 3 matches Chris was beaten by .Chris stated that st each at their best Martina’s best was better than her best .

[marymarseglia]

Best player ever!!! She was my idol growing up playing tennis. I tried to go pro but my parents didn't make enough money back then in the 1970s

[onlydaystogo]

Power, I should coco, how the game of tennis has changed. Crazy top spin.😭 Gone, and Power on 👍. And players so fit and most good at loads of other sports.

[filosoforvgsapereaude]

Gran belleza y suavidad juvenil de Chris

[Jim-oodk]

The Caitlin Clark of her day. Everybody thought Chrissie & Jimmy would get married.

[drdavid]

She sounds so together at 16, it's not surprising she would win the French within the year

[geralddubreucq]

C’était vraiment un beau p’tit lot et aujourd’hui elle est encore canon pour son âge 👍

[voicetube]

I think she ended up being somewhat successful after this and making a couple bucks 🙂 Good for her!

[sundromos]

She had a slight Southern accent at that age, not as strong as our Tampa area accents (which are not even all that noticeable compared to others in the South), and it seems tinged with something else...perhaps from a parent with Northern roots?