Net Worth Ranker
What Is Chris Evert’s Net Worth?
Chris Evert, a retired American world number one professional tennis player, has a net worth estimated at $16 million. This valuation reflects her successful career in professional tennis, endorsement deals, and post-retirement ventures.
Chris Evert’s Career Earnings and Grand Slam Dominance
During her professional tennis career, Chris Evert earned a little under $9 million in tournament prize money. When adjusted for inflation, this amount is equivalent to approximately $30 million in today’s dollars. In addition to prize money, Evert earned several million dollars from endorsement deals with various brands, further contributing to her overall wealth.
Evert’s tennis journey began at the age of five when she started taking lessons from her father, Jimmy Evert, a professional coach. Her early training laid the foundation for a remarkable career. By 1969, she was ranked No. 1 among girls under 14 in the United States. That same year, Evert competed in her first senior tournament, reaching the semifinals against Mary-Ann Eisel.
A significant moment came in 1970 when Evert won the national 16-and-under championship. This victory led to an invitation to an eight-player tournament in North Carolina, where she defeated Françoise Dürr and, most notably, the world No. 1 player Margaret Court. As a result, Evert was selected for the US Wightman Cup team, becoming the youngest player in the competition’s history. This early success was a harbinger of her future accomplishments.
Chris Evert made her Grand Slam debut at the 1971 US Open at the age of 16, reaching the semifinals where she was defeated by Billie Jean King in straight sets. Two years later, she was a runner-up at both the French Open and Wimbledon Championships. In the subsequent year, Evert won both of these events as part of her record 55-consecutive-match winning streak. That year, she finished with a 100-7 match record, winning 16 tournaments, including two Grand Slams.
Throughout the mid-1970s, Evert maintained her position as the world No. 1 for five years. In 1975, she secured her second French Open title and the first of four consecutive US Open titles. Her dominant performance and stoic demeanor earned her the nickname “Ice Maiden.” One of the highlights of her career was in 1976, when she won both Wimbledon and the US Open titles in the same year. Evert continued her dominance through 1977 and 1978, winning two more US Open titles and finishing with a 126-7 match record.
Evert excelled on clay courts, having won 125 straight matches on that surface. She holds the record for the most Grand Slam titles played on clay, with 10. These achievements underscored her versatility and skill across different playing surfaces. Her win loss rate of 94.05% (316/20) remains a WTA record.
In the 1980s, Evert continued to achieve notable milestones. One of her most significant wins was against Martina Navratilova at the 1986 French Open, which marked her final Grand Slam title. Two years later, at the Australian Open, she again defeated Navratilova, reaching her 34th and final Grand Slam final. Evert retired from professional tennis in 1989 after the US Open, having won a record 18 Grand Slam singles titles, including seven at the French Open and six at the US Open.
Her record of 101-13 at the US Open represents the most singles match wins in history. Evert also holds the record for the highest winning percentage in singles matches in the Open Era, with 90.00%. Her 94.55% winning percentage in singles matches on clay courts remains a WTA record. Throughout her career, Evert never lost in the first or second rounds of a Grand Slam singles tournament. Her lifetime career win–loss record is 1309–146 (89.96%) in singles matches.
Post-Playing Career and Endorsements Adding to Chris Evert’s Net Worth
After retiring from professional tennis in 1989, Chris Evert transitioned into various ventures that contributed to her financial success. Currently, she owns the Evert Tennis Academy in Boca Raton, Florida, alongside her brother John. The academy provides tennis training and development programs for aspiring players. Additionally, Evert coaches the tennis team at Saint Andrew’s School, further engaging with the sport at a grassroots level.
In addition to her tennis academy, Chris Evert has been a contributor to Tennis Magazine since 2009, providing insights and analysis on the sport. Since June 2011, she has also worked as a tennis commentator for Grand Slam tournaments on ESPN, offering expert commentary and analysis to viewers. In 2015, she launched a line of tennis apparel and activewear called Chrissie by Tail, further diversifying her business interests.
Evert’s impact extends beyond her on-court achievements and business ventures. Her career win-loss record of 1309–146 (89.96%) in singles matches remains the best record of any professional player, male or female, in the Open Era. Her dominance on clay courts is highlighted by a win loss rate of 94.05% (316/20), a WTA record. Tennis writer Steve Flink recognized Evert as the third-best female player of the 20th century, behind Steffi Graf and Martina Navratilova.
As a baseline player, Evert revolutionized tennis. She was known for her counterpunching game and was one of the first players to play entirely from the baseline. Evert was also one of the first women to successfully use a double-handed backhand on the WTA tour. Her effective drop shot, footwork, court coverage, and mental stamina were her hallmarks.
During her time on the professional circuit, Evert secured lucrative endorsement deals with major brands, enhancing her income. The specifics of these endorsement contracts, including financial details and durations, are not publicly available, but they played a significant role in augmenting her earnings beyond tournament winnings. After adjusting for inflation, the sum of her prize money and endorsements puts her career earnings in the range of $30 million, equivalent in today’s dollars. Her post-playing career endeavors and continuous presence in the tennis community, alongside her astute business ventures, have solidified her financial standing, contributing to her current net worth of $16 million.
