I haven’t been much of an autograph seeker through the years. But there is one I remember getting—Chris Evert’s.

It was at some tennis tournament in the Bay Area when I was kid. Where that scrap of paper ended up I have no idea.

Chris Evert

This was before those big tennis balls that are now so prolific at tournaments existed. I’m not sure what mom would have thought of me having Evert sign a piece of clothing; that never crossed my mind.

Somewhere along the line I tossed the autograph. I’m good with that decision. Knowing I got to see her play in person is more important.

Evert was my favorite tennis player growing up. She’s still a favorite of mine. I like hearing what she has to say when she is calling a match.

Much of her life has been played out through the media since she was a teenager coming onto the world stage of big time tennis through to her recent bouts of cancer.

At this year’s U.S. Open she was surprised with a tribute recognizing that 50 years ago she won her first of six titles at this grand slam tournament. She was 20 years old then.

Evert was in tears from the kind words and flood of memories. It’s part of what makes me like her so much—her humanity and vulnerability.

She is someone worth knowing, if only from afar. A book I absolutely loved and highly recommend is The Rivals: Chris Evert vs. Martina Navratilova Their Epic Duels and Extraordinary Friendship (Broadway Books, 2005) by Johnette Howard.