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Chris Evert’s career basically began and ended at the U.S. Open. In 1971, at just 16 years old, she became America’s sweetheart, overcoming major odds to defeat fourth-seeded Mary Ann Eisel and No. 5 Francoise Durr before losing in the semifinals to the eventual champion Billy Jean King.

America fell in love with her competitive spirit on the court and once she felt comfortable in the public eye they also fell in love with her gregarious nature off it. She never threw tantrums but clearly had a will to win and yet would make a point to talk to her opponents before matches.

A few years after bursting onto the scene, in 1975 she won her first of four straight U.S. Open titles. She would add two more in 1980 and 1982.

By 1989 she was still one of the top women in the game but the emotional commitment began to take its toll and after ousting Monica Seles 6-0, 6-2, to reach quarterfinals she fell to Zina Garrison before retiring from professional tennis. Her six U.S. Open titles are two more than her chief rival Martina Navratilova and one more than the three top men - Jimmy Connors, Pete Sampras and Roger Federer.

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