International Women's Day: 'Female athletes transcend their sports now' - Chris Evert hails sporting 'icons'
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Updated 08/03/2023 at 08:22 GMT
Tennis legend Chris Evert has discussed with Eurosport the significant and transformative impact made by a number of women's players in tennis - and beyond in sport more generally. Evert spoke about how "female athletes transcend their sports now, they become icons" in a way that was not recognised more broadly by society in the past, citing examples in tennis and other sports.
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Eurosport's Chris Evert has hailed the huge and positive impact made by a number of women's tennis stars, including current icons Naomi Osaka and Ons Jabeur, but also not forgetting the great Billie Jean King.
Evert was marking International Women's Day with her comments, and she was full of praise for the way the players "use their platform to give very pertinent thoughts and talk about very important issues that relate to society" while recognising their courage in speaking up.
Asked by Eurosport's Arnold Montgault which tennis player she most admires, Evert had little hesitation: "I have to say Billie Jean King.
"I mean, if you were to ask me, she just started it all. She was the leader for women's equal rights and equal opportunities and promoting the sport of tennis for women and promoting women athletes in general.
"She was basically saying it is okay to be athletic and have muscles and sweat on the court when in those days, in the 60s and 70s, it was frowned upon for a woman to be that way.
"So she changed not only the sport of tennis but the image of what a woman could be.
"Female athletes transcend their sports now, they become icons. They use their platform to give very pertinent thoughts and talk about very important issues that relate to society, and they have the courage to speak up.
"Look what Naomi Osaka did with mental health. She just opened up a can of worms there and opened the door to have a conversation and to be empathetic and to realise that it is there and it is rampant - not only for athletes but people suffering from anxiety in general.
"I compare female athletes now to how they were not looked up to 40 years ago, 50 years ago. I think that they are very much respected, admired, and little girls want to grow up and become athletes now, not models or movie stars, necessarily. They want to grow up and be athletic and empower themselves that way."
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Asked about other players currently making an impact in women's tennis, Evert added: "I think everybody brings something, all the top players.
"I mean, I don't know how you can differentiate between Naomi for what she did for mental health and Jabeur for the influence she has in the Arab world and the African world.
"Ons has been a role model for women in that part of the world who haven't had the rights and haven't had the freedom and the resources that we've had over here in America or in other parts of the world. Talk about transcending the sport!
"She has just influenced a culture and a society that needed a leader like her. So I would say both of those young women currently in today's game have really made a significant impact on society in the world."
Thinking beyond tennis, Evert pointed out alpine skier Mikaela Shiffrin as a female athlete who inspires young girls.
"I think Mikaela Shiffrin is the epitome of a champion," said Evert. "She is very humble.
"She is very aware, socially conscious and aware of what is going on in the world. She is very committed to her craft, and her profession.
"She is very focused, and she is using her platform in a positive way. So right now in another sport, as a skier, I think she gets my vote."
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