Chris Evert wants people to love her… I see her in pain a lot” – When Billie Jean King empathized with Evert’s frustration over lack of fan support

 

Billie Jean King once shed light on Chris Evert’s fervent desire to be loved by the crowd. While King empathized with her younger compatriot, she also shed light on the valuable advice she had offered Evert to address that need.

 

During her time on tour, Evert came to be known as the ‘Ice Maiden’ due to her composed and steely demeanor on the court. However, King disclosed that despite her calm exterior, her fellow American struggled with hostile crowds.

 

In an interview with The New York Times in 1978, Billie Jean King revealed that Chris Evert found it difficult to cope with unfriendly crowds. She also highlighted that wanting to be admired by fans is a shared trait among athletes.