Top 10 Greatest Tennis Rivalries

This has to be it. The greatest rivalry I've seen in my life up till now.

Chris Evert had a winning record against Margaret Court from the get-go when Evert was a frail sub-100 pound teenager at 15. Margaret is plain lucky not to have played during Evert's peak.

This is an under-hyped rivalry. Margaret was the number 1 in the early 1970's and dominating women's tennis. Chris, age 15, all of 98 pounds and 5ft 2" tall played the World number 1 in 1970 and beat her in straight sets. A shocker. Chris won their next 2 matches also in straight sets. They played 13 matches in all, with Chris ending with a 9-4 advantage.

Their styles were contrasting - Margaret was a big server with a good net game; powerful and fit. Chris was a baseliner with good return of serves and a 2-handed backhand. It was fascinating watching Chris handle the Margaret serve and the duel between the net rusher and the baseliner.

They had some good matches until 1975. Chris was 3 years younger and still in her teens. After her 19th birthday in late 1974, Chris just took charge and it was all over for Evonne. Evonne would win a few more matches against Evert but there was never any doubt about who the superior player was. Evert killed the debate.

Evonne won their first meeting and there was excitement about these 2 and who would take over the mantle from King and Court. Evert then murdered Evonne the next 5 matches after which Evonne was perpetually playing catch up. Evert had taken over.

Billie Jean was the one top player who held her own against Chris when she first burst on the scene in the early 70's. Mainly on grass though. On clay, Chris just devoured her.

It was a good rivalry on grass. On clay, Evert ripped King.