Chris Evert fondly remembers meeting Tom Cruise at Wimbledon 2024 along with sister Clare
Tennis legend Chris Evert recently shared a memorable moment from the 2024 Wimbledon Championships. The snapshot features Evert, her sister Clare Evert-Shane, and Hollywood icon Tom Cruise, enjoying the hospitality of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. The Evert sisters and Cruise were among the esteemed guests in the Royal Box during the men’s singles final match between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz on July 14. The trio witnessed the Spaniard defeat the Serb 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (7-4) at Centre Court for the second consecutive Wimbledon title and his fourth Grand Slam trophy.
Following the match, the three enjoyed a meal at a restaurant within the club premises, overlooking the lush green courts of the SW19. Evert shared an image on her Instagram on Thursday, August 8, which shows her, her sister Clare, and Cruise posing at a restaurant with the SW19 courts in the background. Evert lightheartedly acknowledged the actor’s superstar status in the caption:
“Sometimes…You gotta just post a pic with Tom Cruise…(accompanied by three shrugging emojis).”
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Chris Evert won three Wimbledon titles over the years
Chris Evert’s Wimbledon career saw her win three championships and reach the final 10 times.
The American tennis legend’s first semifinal appearance in 1972 set the tone for her storied Wimbledon tenure. Despite leading against defending champion Evonne Goolagong, Evert fell short 6-4, 3-6, 4-6. Goolagong advanced to the final, eventually losing 3-6, 3-6 to Billie Jean King.
The following year, 1973, saw Evert reach her first Wimbledon final. However, she faced defeat against her compatriot and defending champion King, who claimed a straight-sets victory.
Evert’s maiden Wimbledon title came in 1974, when she defeated Russia’s Olga Morozova in a commanding final, dropping only four games. This was Evert’s second consecutive Grand Slam title as she also won the French Open.
Throughout the 1970s and into the 1980s, Evert’s presence in the latter stages of Wimbledon was almost a given. Her rivalry with Martina Navratilova, particularly, captivated the tennis world even though the Czech-American often had the upper hand on the grass.
Evert recorded her worst performance at the Championships in 1983, where the second-seeded American lost 1-6, 6-7 to compatriot Kathryn Jordan in the third round.
Chris Evert’s last appearance at Wimbledon came in 1989, where she reached the semifinals by defeating Mareen Louie-Harper, Hu Na, Anne Hobbs, Patty Fendick, and Arantxa Sanchez Vicario. The fourth-seeded American ultimately lost 2-6, 1-6 to the eventual champion and top seed Steffi Graf.
