‘Check the Ego at the Door’ – When Chris Evert’s Ex-Husband Laid Bare the Challenges of Life With the American Icon
It was the year 1979. American legend, Chris Evert, was at the top of her game and had already won eight Grand Slam titles in the prior years. However, it was a turning point in her personal life that year. Evert tied the knot with British tennis player John Lloyd in April. This came years after her separation from Andy Mill. While Evert was an established player then, Lloyd was still finding his feet in the tennis circuit. As a result, there was a major downside for Lloyd to marry Evert.
Before their marriage, Lloyd vowed to support Evert’s tennis career and back her toward success. However, due to Evert’s massive popularity, people would refer to him as Mr. Evert. In his autobiography ‘Dear John’, Lloyd explained the overwhelming challenges of marrying an American superstar. He says, “She would return to the courts as Chris Evert-Lloyd. There were a number of occasions at cocktail parties in the States when people would say: ‘Mr Evert, your table is over here.’ When you marry a superstar, you have to accept that you are not going to be the first name on the page. Check the ego at the door. If you love someone and commit to someone and each know deep down, it is a 50-50 relationship, there’s a chance of it working. If your ego is too big and can’t accept the situation, don’t get married in the first place.”
The pair eventually separated in April 1987 after Evert’s affair with British singer and actor Adam Faith. Moreover, this wasn’t the first time that Lloyd opened up about marrying a famous star. During an interview once, he revealed, “I went into a world that was way out of my league. I think I had a little bit of preparation, but I wasn’t the same as being married to a world star who was famous beyond belief.” Further, Lloyd has also talked about many interesting incidents pertaining to Evert in his autobiography. One such incident was during Evert’s interaction with Princess Diana.
When Chris Evert came under the scanner after her interaction with Princess Diana
When Evert was at the top of her career, she often made it to the summit clashes of the Wimbledon Championships. During those encounters, she would come across Princess Diana, who attended some matches. Later, during one of the presentation ceremonies, Evert greeted Princess Diana but her greetings were dubbed disrespectful. Talking about that incident, Lloyd wrote, “Americans love the royal family but don’t necessarily understand the traditions and protocol attached to meeting them. People from the States are very open and more likely to be on the front foot than take a backward step. ‘Hey, Diana, how ya doin’? Better not talk until I’m spoken to, must remember to bow or curtsey, doff my cap, make sure there’s no spinach in my teeth.”
Despite the awkward interaction, Evert appeared confident and composed while meeting Princess Diana. However, the incident caught many eyebrows and became the talk of the town then. Nonetheless, Evert quickly dismissed the rumors of disrespect, with the informal address done unknowingly.
