Evert presented Hall of Fame ring on ESPN2
June 5, 2013
NEWPORT, R.I. — Former world No. 1 Chris Evert has captured the most coveted trophies in tennis, and yesterday at the French Open she was presented with another exclusive item in honor of her success on court — a one-of-a-kind gold ring signifying her place as a Hall of Famer. In recognition of her great success and contributions to the sport, Evert was enshrined in the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1995. This important achievement was celebrated once again, when Evert was presented her official Hall of Fame ring, in a special ceremony on ESPN2 during the network’s Roland Garros coverage yesterday. Joining in the celebration were Evert’s ESPN colleagues Chris McKendry, Chris Fowler, Mary Joe Fernandez, Brad Gilbert, Darren Cahill, and Pam Shriver. The ring was presented by Hall of Fame Chairman Christopher Clouser and CEO Mark Stenning.
“Chrissie Evert’s name is synonymous with class and grace in the sport of tennis, and her achievements place her among the most successful and admired athletes of all time,” said Clouser. “As a Hall of Famer, she will be forever celebrated among the greatest champions and legends of tennis. We are so pleased to recognize her achievements with this special ring at a very special event where she had such great success and made tennis history.”
During her Hall of Fame career, Evert won 18 Grand Slam singles championships, including a record seven championships at the French Open and a record six US Opens. She also captured 3 major doubles titles. Evert was the year-end world No. 1 player seven times, and she captured a total of 157 singles titles and 29 doubles titles. Evert’s decade-long rivalry with fellow Hall of Famer and good friend Martina Navratilova is considered one of the greatest in sports history. Since retiring in 1989, Evert has focused her time on philanthropic efforts. She hosted the first Chris Evert Celebrity Pro-Am just one month after retiring from her 17-year playing career, and over the years her efforts have contributed more than $20 million to an ongoing campaign against drug abuse and child neglect in Florida. In 2011, to the delight of tennis fans across the nation, she officially took a spot behind the broadcast booth, joining the on-air team for ESPN’s Grand Slam coverage. Topping off the immense contributions she has made to the sports community, Evert’s personal greatest achievement lies in her children. She is the proud mother to three sons.
The personalized rings were introduced in 2011 and are being presented to Hall of Famers at tennis events around the world over the next few years as a special symbol of their Hall of Fame enshrinement. The rings bear a green stone set in gold, to complement the International Tennis Hall of Fame’s brand colors. In addition, the rings are etched with each honoree’s name and the Hall of Fame logo crest. The rings have been generously underwritten by The Bruce T. Halle Family of Scottsdale, Arizona.
Last year, Evert participated in ceremonies to present rings to her good friend Martina Navratilova during Wimbledon and her ESPN colleague John McEnroe, during the US Open. Additional Hall of Fame ring ceremonies have been hosted this year at the Australian Open, where rings were presented to 11 Australian greats; at the Delray Beach International Tennis Championships, where Mats Wilander was honored; and at the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell, where Manuel Orantes received his ring. The ring presentations have offered a platform for tennis fans to re-connect with some of the greatest champions of the sport at venues and events that have significant meaning to the Hall of Famers and their fans.
Since 1955, 224 of the greatest champions and contributors to the sport have been inducted to the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Located in Newport, Rhode Island, the International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum is a non-profit institution dedicated to preserving the history of tennis and honoring the game’s greatest heroes. In addition, the Hall of Fame provides a landmark for tennis enthusiasts, offering an extensive museum that chronicles the history of the sport and its stars, historic grass tennis courts that date back to 1880 and are open to the public, an ATP World Tour tournament and the annual Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony in July, and numerous public events year-round. To learn more, visit tennisfame.com.