“I was a sucker for romance” – When Chris Evert spoke about her time with John Lloyd

“I was a sucker for romance,” Chris Evert reminisced with a wistful smile as she recounted her time with John Lloyd, the British tennis player with whom she shared a brief but impactful romance in the late 1970s. For tennis enthusiasts, Evert and Lloyd’s relationship was more than just a dalliance between two high-profile athletes; it was a captivating tale of love amidst the rigors of professional sports, played out under the scrutiny of the public eye.

Evert, with her graceful playing style and unwavering focus, was already a tennis icon when she met Lloyd. The American star had dominated the women’s circuit, amassing Grand Slam titles and earning a reputation as one of the greatest players of her generation. Lloyd, on the other hand, was making his mark on the men’s tour, known for his talent on the court and his charming demeanor off it.

Their paths first crossed at Wimbledon, the prestigious grass-court tournament that has long been the stage for both triumph and heartbreak in the world of tennis. Evert and Lloyd were drawn to each other almost immediately, their mutual love for the game serving as the foundation for a deep connection that transcended the boundaries of sport.

“We just clicked,” Evert recalled, her voice tinged with nostalgia. “There was something about John that drew me to him. Maybe it was his wit, or his easygoing nature. Whatever it was, I found myself falling for him, hard.”

Their romance blossomed against the backdrop of tennis arenas around the world, as they traveled from one tournament to the next, their lives intertwined both on and off the court. For Evert, who had always been fiercely independent, being in a relationship with another tennis player brought its own set of challenges.

“It wasn’t easy,” she admitted. “We were both competing at the highest level, constantly striving to be the best. There were times when our schedules kept us apart for weeks on end, and we had to make sacrifices in order to be together.”

But despite the obstacles they faced, Evert and Lloyd were determined to make their relationship work. They found solace in each other’s company, sharing the highs and lows of their respective careers with a level of understanding that only fellow athletes could truly appreciate.

“John was my rock,” Evert said softly. “He was always there for me, whether I won or lost. He understood the pressures I was under, because he was facing them too. We supported each other, both on and off the court.”

Their love affair captured the imagination of tennis fans and the media alike, who followed their every move with keen interest. In an era long before the advent of social media, Evert and Lloyd were thrust into the spotlight, their relationship scrutinized by tabloids and gossip columns eager for a glimpse into their private lives.

“It was overwhelming at times,” Evert admitted. “We were young and in love, trying to navigate our way through a world that seemed determined to tear us apart. But we refused to let it define us. We knew what we had was special, and we were determined to hold onto it.”

Despite their best efforts, however, Evert and Lloyd’s romance ultimately succumbed to the pressures of their respective careers. In 1981, after three years together, they announced their decision to part ways, citing the demands of their profession and the strain it placed on their relationship.

“It was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make,” Evert said, her voice faltering slightly. “But we both knew it was the right one. We needed to focus on our tennis, to pursue our dreams without the distractions of a relationship.”

In the years that followed, Evert and Lloyd went their separate ways, each continuing to carve out successful careers in the world of tennis. Evert added to her already impressive list of accomplishments, cementing her status as one of the sport’s all-time greats, while Lloyd continued to compete at the highest level, earning the respect of his peers and fans alike.

But despite the passage of time, the memories of their time together lingered, a bittersweet reminder of a love that had burned brightly before fading away. For Evert, those memories remained a cherished part of her past, a testament to the power of love in the face of adversity.

“I’ll always be grateful for the time we shared,” she said, her eyes shining with emotion. “John taught me so much about life and love, about resilience and determination. He’ll always have a special place in my heart.”

As she spoke, it was clear that Evert’s feelings for Lloyd had not dimmed with the passing years. Though their romance had ended long ago, its impact on her life was undeniable, shaping her into the person she had become and leaving an indelible mark on her heart.

“I was a sucker for romance,” she said with a rueful smile. “And with John, I found it in the most unexpected of places. Our love may not have lasted forever, but the memories we created together will stay with me always.”

And with that, Chris Evert, tennis legend and hopeless romantic, closed the chapter on one of the most memorable love stories the world of sports had ever seen, leaving behind a legacy that would endure long after the final point had been played.