NEW YORK – Chris Evert made a comment with hints of the era in which she played, and in 2024 had to pay for it: Ons Jabeur accused her of creating ‘gender-based stereotypes’.
‘She plays like a man. She wants to play like a man,’ one of the greatest players of all time said of Karolina Muchova from the ESPN booth during the second-round match between the Czech and Japan’s Naomi Osaka.
‘The guys have more powerful serves than the women, they have better volleys for the most part, they move a little bit better,’ she added. Her words were taken to the world of Twitter by journalist Stephanie Myles, and soon found a response from an elite tennis player, 39 years younger than Evert.
Ons Jabeur quoted Myles’ tweet replying to the 18-time Grand Slam champion.
‘Muchova is an amazing talented player . She doesn’t have to be a guy to have great serve, volley or movement. Can we please stop stereotyping based on gender?’ said the Tunisian, a runner-up in New York two years ago, and absent from the 2024 edition due to a shoulder injury.
It was a generational blow for Evert, who was quick to respond with humility and sincerity.
‘I apologize if I offended you both, certainly not my intention. The power, mobility, and athleticism has improved so much, and many women I interview have men idols who they aspire to play like. Again, maybe my delivery could’ve been better, so sorry!’ the former world number one replied.
‘I appreciate your response Chrissie, so many great women out there playing amazing tennis. We need to support each other,’ the current world number 17 closed the virtual exchange.
Playing ‘like a man’ or not, Muchova is showing the tennis of her best days.
The 2023 Roland Garros finalist and last year’s US Open semi-finalist missed the end of last season (she had qualified for the WTA Finals) and the entire first half of 2024 due to a rebellious wrist injury, which forced her to undergo surgery.
The Czech recovered, scored a tremendously important win over two-time US Open champion Osaka, and this Saturday she will face Russia’s Anastasiya Potapova for a ticket to the last 16.
