Akron started one of the greatest sports rivalries 50 years ago.
At the $25,000 Akron Tennis Open, sponsored by the Junior League of Akron, 18-year-old Chris Evert faced 16-year-old Martina Navratilova.
They played 80 career matches.
Almost 40 international ladies competed at Memorial Hall at the University of Akron. Adult qualifying round tickets cost $2 and children $1. Reserved bleachers cost $3 and chairs $4.
Evert, known as “Cinderella in Sneakers,” was the world’s third-ranked player.
Evert, Goolagong, and Wade were Akron tournament draws. Navratilova, from communist Czechoslovakia, was visiting the US for the first time.
The Beacon Journal spelt her name “Marita,” “Nauratilova,” and “Navritilova” since she was unknown. After a few years, everyone recognized her name.
The Junior League organized the competition using volunteers.
“It was thrilling for the town,” said California-based 1973 tournament chairman Ann Allan. “Every week had something.”
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Allan said the Junior League wanted a unique fundraising endeavor. Morley Health Center hosted an educational display last year.
She stated tennis was growing popular. So I offered a tennis tournament.”
The librarian liked playing doubles but didn’t know how to host a tournament, so she researched and asked experts.
Akron Coca-Cola Bottling Co., First National Bank of Akron, Gene Graham Ford, and M. O’Neil Co. sponsored the Junior League for $5,000 each.
Akron gets Evert.
Jimmy Evert called Allan to invite his daughter to play in Akron.
“We picked her up at the airport and brought her down,” she added.
Women played at host families’ houses back then.
“Chris stayed at our house,” said Fairlawn Heights resident Abby Amer. She slept in my room. My room was evicted because it had a private bath.”
The 15-year-old daughter of Thomas and Jean Amer thought it was nice to have a renowned visitor.
Amer claimed she was sweet. “Really friendly and pleasant, not ‘Look at me: I’m Chris Evert.’ She was rather shy.”
After Colette, Evert’s mother, wanted a peaceful location for her daughter, Amer’s mother offered her house.
“We looked after her,” Amer remarked.
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Furman and Jean Sawyer, parents of future Akron Mayor Tom Sawyer and tennis star Ted Sawyer, hosted Navratilova and fellow Czech Marie Neumannova at their Bath Road home.
Jean Sawyer told the Beacon Journal in 1973 that she bought steaks, fruits, munchies, and pops but forgot honey. “The girls prefer honey and hot milk, sometimes together, sometimes separately, therefore I’ll need honey. They loved fresh orange juice.”
Navratilova found fast food during her six-week stay in America. 20 pounds.
Memorial Hall, a basketball hall, became a tennis venue with a movable carpet court. USLTA-sanctioned singles and doubles competitions March 19-25 drew over 3,000 spectators.
Towpath Tennis Center owner Dallas Aleman remembers going. UA’s 1973 Zips tennis varsity player was a senior. He worked at the center where pros practiced.
Aleman remarked that women were rising in sports and equality. At “The Battle of the Sexes” later that year, Billie Jean King overcame Bobby Riggs.
Evert-Navratilova captivated the globe.
“Akron started it all,” he remarked.
Matches ran midday to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, Saturday 4–10 p.m., Sunday 3–6 p.m.
Evert discussed her new fame in a press conference.
“I have less privacy now,” she remarked. “Everyone calls or writes. Criticism is also sought.
“You know, a lot of great things have been said about me, and I believe people may be seeking for something else.”
Evert faced Navratilova Thursday night.
Former Portage County Club pro Barb Beattie, an Akron Tennis Open line judge, remembered the match. It was packed. It fit well.”
Navratilova appeared with a cowboy hat, confident for a 16-year-old.
Beattie stated she was a presence when she entered. “You observed her.”
A Junior Leaguer from Florida, Sandra Smith, was ticket chairperson for the 1973 event.
Smith says she wore shorts. She wore shorts with a tennis ball tucked in her waist, unlike other females who wore tennis dresses and skirts. We found that unusual.”
Beattie, a former Floridian, watched Evert play as tennis amateur in Fort Lauderdale and attended her first professional event.
Beattie claimed Evert, a 5-6 right-hander, and Navratilova, 5-8 left-handed, were distinct players.
“Martina was a pure athlete and Chris Evert was mechanical, but her strength was her cerebral capacity to tactically figure out and beat people.”
Evert led the opening set 4-1, but Navratilova broke her service three times. Czech lead 6-5 after 11 games. Hold her serve in the 12th game to win.
“You’re simply so happy you don’t feel any pressure at that early age,” Navratilova said afterwards.
After 30-love, Evert won the next four points to force a tiebreaker, which she won 5-1 to win 7-6. Evert took the second set 6-3.
“The first time I played Martina was in Ohio,” Evert recalled a reporter years later. She was 15-16. I was astonished since the first set was 7-6 and the second set was easy, but I thought, “This girl, if she dropped weight and got into condition…” She was gifted.”
Navratilova found solace in defeat.
“I thought, ‘If I can accomplish this the first time against the greatest, maybe next time,’” she remarked afterwards.
Other Akron tournament wins
King won Akron Tennis Open the next year. Evert won again in 1975 when the tournament moved to Richfield Coliseum and renamed the Virginia Slims of Akron. Goolagong won the final year, 1976.
Navratilova defeated Evert 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 in the 1975 Virginia Slims of Washington after four more losses. She fled Czechoslovakia that year.
Navratilova quit fast food, shed weight, and got fit.
Beattie stated she transformed women’s tennis fitness. “We ran for workouts when I played. Her training included weights. She toned up.”
Evert and Navratilova fought at the net but became friends.
“Martina has inspired me,” Evert declared at Wimbledon in 1985.
“We have one of the great sporting rivalries,” Navratilova added.
After losing to Navratilova at Wimbledon in 1987, Evert told reporters, “It’s almost like Martina’s family now because we’ve been there, played together, played matches, watched other players come and go, but we’ve been the two constants.”
Evert retired after 80 matches, including 60 finals. Their last match was Nov. 14, 1988, at Virginia Slims of Chicago. Navratilova won 6-2, 6-2, 43-37.
1995 saw Evert enter the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Navratilova joined her five years later.
“We improved each other,” Navratilova stated at the event.
Game, set, match.