Sports has seen numerous era-defining rivalries that have helped define an era – often by showcasing unique playing styles. Federer vs Nadal was such an encounter, shaping men’s tennis forever whilst sparking global fan passions.
Here, we explore the rich history of famous tennis rivalries that have stood the test of time – from Bjorn Borg’s cool demeanor to John McEnroe’s fiery personas.
1. Martina Navratilova vs. Chrissy Evert
A tennis career pitting two superstar players against each other can create lasting rivalries. Such competition can be so intense and memorable that it makes its mark in history; one such intense rivalry was between Martina Navratilova and Chrissy Evert during the 1980s; it helped define women’s tennis.
At one point or another between 1973 and 1988, these two tennis legends met 80 times on the court – 60 of those matches were tournament finals – with their head-up record standing at 43-37 and with Navratilova usually having the upper hand during their rivalry that began back then. Their match-up featured two distinct styles – with Navratilova using her left-handed serve-and-volley game facing off against Evert’s relentless baseline game.
Navratilova and Evert, together, captured 36 Grand Slam singles titles during their partnership years. Together they were seen as carrying the women’s tour on their shoulders for many years to come.
“Their competitive ferocity was the cornerstone of tennis in the ’80s,” notes former tennis player and author Carillo. “They elevated the entire game.”
These two were also close off the court, spending much time hanging out together and engaging with spectators in crowd interactions. Together they even co-wrote a children’s book called “The Rivals”.
One of the great aspects of the Navratilova-Evert rivalry was how intense, yet friendly, their competition was. This competition showed how sports can bring people together even during heated rivalries.
Navratilova was born in Prague, Czechoslovakia (now Czech Republic) in 1956 and became an American citizen in 1981. Evert has long been one of Navratilova’s greatest rivals – an intense rivalry that ran from the mid 1970s until late 1988 that continues to capture public imagination today. Both women are honored members of the International Tennis Hall of Fame; it remains a fascinating part of tennis history. Their friendship eventually developed despite this fierce rivalry; in fact, both remain close today; even while their fierceness of rivalry made way for closeness; both are outspoken voices on political and social issues – since 1984 they both advocate same-sex marriage rights!
2. Billie Jean King vs. Margaret Court
Margaret Court and Billie Jean King had an enduring rivalry that transcended tennis courts for over twenty years, featuring 32 matches with Court winning 22 of those; five grand slam finals being among her victories. Both women were strong advocates for female rights; their clashes symbolizing society’s fight for gender equality.
On Mother’s Day in 1973, former world No 1 professional male tennis player Bobby Riggs defeated Margaret Court 6-2 6-1 in what became known as the Mother’s Day Massacre or Battle of the Sexes. Riggs had earlier challenged King to a match but she declined due to not seeing the point of competing against someone of her own gender.
After her loss at Wimbledon, King returned to her tour but found her play inconsistent. She lost to Julie Heldman in an Orlando semi-final, Kathy Kuykendall in Phoenix quarter-final and Evonne Goolagong at Virginia Slims Championships of Los Angeles semi-final – with only one tournament win remaining until Hoylake doubles event where she reached another singles final.
Even though King was performing below her best, she continued advocating for women’s rights around the world and inspired many young women to support it as well as work to increase prize money available for female players.
King amassed 24 major titles in women’s singles tennis competition and 19 in doubles competition during her lengthy career. Additionally, she enjoyed great success as a businesswoman and television personality – hosting shows like “The Billie Jean Show.” After retiring in 1985, she established the Billie Jean King Foundation with a mission of equal rights for men and women as well as health and education programs for children; its work continues today.
3. Helen Wills vs. Helen Jacobs
Helen Wills, also known as “Big Helen,” was both an athletic powerhouse on and off the court. She amassed 19 grand slam single titles — fourth highest ever among women players ever — which still stands today, yet was an unflinching competitor and showoff who earned respect among her rivals and journalists alike. Wills won six out of seven final matches they contested together; her rival, Californian Marta Jacobs lost one.
At the 1925 Pacific Coast Championships, they first encountered each other and started their longstanding rivalry. Wills won their initial match 6-1, 6-2; yet Jacobs never gave in; she proved herself an aggressive, determined competitor that impressed William “Pop” Fuller who coached Wills.
There’s no telling exactly what sparked Big Helen and Little Helen’s animosity, but something was clearly there. Perhaps it was due to their differing social standing; Wills came from Berkeley’s elite circles while Jacobs came from working-class backgrounds; or it may have been due to their divergent personalities; Danzig described Wills as having “pulsating antagonists of mobility while Little Miss Poker Face had “stationary power.”
However, one other factor was at play when Jacobs and Wills met for the first time at the US Championships semi-final in 1928 (one of seven such meetings between them). Jacobs began hitting harder, giving spectators something to cheer about; Wills double-faulted to open the third set and retired due to back injury – shocking both spectators and Jacobs alike; Jacobs tried suggesting she take a break; but she simply collected her sweater and left the court without taking it with her.
Wills’ sudden departure was not easily explained; her disappearance cast doubt over the results. Later she claimed it had been due to a back injury; however, after making an error she refused to continue playing and she likely knew something wasn’t right with the game itself.
4. John McEnroe vs. Bjorn Borg
Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe had one of the greatest rivalries in tennis history when it comes to their 14 matches together – four Grand Slam finals included. Borg won 13 out of 14 of their matches against each other; including winning Wimbledon five sets later that year! McEnroe managed three victories himself; however he never managed to capture another Grand Slam championship title.
Their rivalry was an epic clash of opposites. Borg was known for not reacting strongly to debatable calls and was widely considered one of the greatest male tennis players ever; McEnroe on the other hand was known to frequently rage at umpires and crowds; furthermore he was an outspoken sexual harasser known for exploiting London tabloid newspapers with his off-court antics that brought tabloid newspapers into a frenzy with headlines that often reported on these actions.
Watching their match was captivating; like an intricate game of chess, both players would move and countermove in an attempt to catch out their opponent. Borg managed to win in five sets in an exciting five set tiebreaker; but in 1993 McEnroe won at US Open forcing Borg into retirement at only 25 years old.
The 2017 movie Borg vs McEnroe, inspired by this legendary match-up, captures all of its tension and drama brilliantly. Starring Stellan Skarsgard as Borg and Tuva Novotny as McEnroe respectively, it depicts their respective personalities well: Borg was dedicated and lived in Monaco with Lennart Bergelin while McEnroe took life for granted.
Borg vs McEnroe illustrates how even the most storied of sports rivalries can sometimes become sidelined by off-court drama and controversy, yet that shouldn’t always be taken as a negative development – in fact it can make the rivalry that much more exciting to follow and remind us all how precious every opportunity to witness great athletic talent in person can be!