An immensely popular player due to her looks and personality, Chris Evert played second fiddle to Martina Navratilova for much of her career, but she also had an enviable record of her own at the top level.

Born in Florida on December 21st 1954, Chris Evert claimed 18 Grand Slam singles titles and her most productive event was the French Open, which she won seven times between 1974 and 1986.

There were also six US Opens in eight years, three Wimbledon titles and two victories at the Australian Open.

However, it was Chris Evert's sheer consistency that was perhaps her most admirable quality, for she was runner-up in almost as many Grand Slams as she won, reaching 34 finals in total. She was beaten by Navratilova in 10 of those and got the better of her great rival in only four of their 'major' showdowns.

Known as the 'Ice Maiden' for her cool, steely demeanour on court, Evert was technically superb and her precise groundstrokes from the baseline meant clay was the surface on which she excelled most.

She took the last two of her Grand Slam titles at Roland Garros in 1985 and 1986, and continued to be a force, going on to reach seven more 'major' semi-finals before calling it a day at the end of 1989.

Chris Evert was briefly engaged to top male player Jimmy Connors, with whom she reached the US Open mixed doubles final in 1974. She subsequently married British player John Lloyd, skier Andy Mill and golfer Greg Norman, and has three sons.