“Nadal has more recognition than Navratilova for being a man”

Once again, the debate about the differences between men and women returns to tennis. This time it was former player Chris Evert, winner of 18 Grand Slams, who has stoked the controversy, focusing its attacks on Rafa Nadal. The American has gone on the attack several times in recent months, such as in October, when He criticized that his rivalry with Martina Navratilova was not talked about as it is done with Nadal and Djokovic.

Now, Evert, in an interview with Tennis Majors, has once again charged against what she considers machismo in tennis. “I think I get more sensitive also about the fact that Martina Navratilova won Wimbledon nine times and nobody really talks about it. “said Evert, who compared it to the Spanish prowess in Paris. “Rafa Nadal won Roland Garros, how many times, 13? Has anyone won a Grand Slam more than nine times? Every now and then Martina's record will appear at Wimbledon, but it's not celebrated as much. “continued the 66-year-old former tennis player.

Another name also appeared in Evert's speech. “What about Steffi Graf and the Golden Slam in 1988? I mean, Olympics and four Grand Slams. If a man had done that, it would be mentioned all the time. No one mentions that now.”continued the American, who wanted to clarify that she has nothing against these men. “Male athletes are still more popular than women. Believe me, I am not in a revenge against Novak Djokovic or Nadal. It horrifies me that he might even think that. It's nothing personal against them at all. It was just the beginning of: if you're going to say that, say it's the biggest rivalry in men's tennis. It's really simple, “Evert said.