Bidspirit auction | EVERT CHRIS: (1954- )

EVERT CHRIS: (1954- ) - EVERT CHRIS: (1954- ) American tennis player, Wimbledon Champion 1974, 1976 & 1981. A Wilson Chris Evert Autograph tennis racket, being one of the rackets used by the tennis player in the 1978 Wimbledon Championships Women´s singles final on 8th July 1978, the American made speed flex fibre face racket (Light 4 5/8) numbered 5 in ink to the butt of the handle, and accompanied by the original cover for the head of the racket. Together with a signed colour 4 x 6 postcard photograph of Evert in a head and shoulders pose. Signed in ink with her name alone to the image. A desirable souvenir of one of the most successful tennis players of all time, the winner of 18 Grand Slam singles titles. Some light handling and age wear to the racket and the photograph with some surface creasing, G to VG, 2 Provenance: The present lot is accompanied by a typed letter signed by Major A. E. Anderson, dated 11th April 2022, and stating, in part, ´I worked in the Royal Box at the All England Club from 1975 until 1983....Being at Wimbledon for the fortnight was really quite unique, particularly in the Royal Box....Being a person in uniform one was naturally trusted by all. The superstars of the time were always aware of what was going on around them....They got used to me and my team of senior ranks from the 3 services being in the vicinity and readily accepted us. The racquet in question was given to me by Chris Evert after she had played Martina Navratilova 1978´ Martina Navratilova defeated Chris Evert in the 1978 Wimbledon Championships Women´s singles final in three sets, 2–6, 6–4, 7–5. It was Navratilova´s first major singles title and the first of a record nine Wimbledon singles titles.