Chris and Martina: The Final Set brings together tennis superstars Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova in a world premiere film in the spotlight documentary section of Tribeca Festival. Directed by Rebecca Gitlitz, the filmmaker follows each woman from their first initiation into tennis success. Gitlitz uses archived video clips with sports commentary voice overs past and present (Mary Carillo, John McEnroe, Billie Jean King) of those who are in the know about these world class champions of women’s tennis who put tennis on the map for average folks.

Gitlitz explores the contentious, rivalry between Evert and Navratilova in the 1970s and 1980s. What made them watchable was how they contrasted on and off the court. Evert was the All-American girl from Florida. Martina was from communist Czechoslovakia who was her own person, not something communist countries wanted out of their sports legends.

At first it was Evert who had the upper hand in the rivalry, winning nine of their first 10 matches and getting all the fame and acclaim. But that would change. Navratilova became fanatical about her fitness level and training. She eventually caught up to Evert, and they would compete fiercely in the ensuing decades, taking women’s tennis to new heights.

In the most interesting segments, Gitlitz breaks away to vary the clips with video of present day Chris and Martina who discuss the shots made. This is never-before-seen footage. These highlights includes scenes where Evert and Navratilova watch some of their classic matches together, a first for both. The director includes their voice over comments on these salient clips which are fascinating and heartfelt. It is amazing to enjoy both women who are friends watch themselves play against each other as young women. They sit next to each other on a sofa, make quips, analyze their own strategies and show enthusiasm. It can’t be emphasized enough how special this film is for tennis aficionados and fans alike to hear them share what they think about themselves and each other as they played decades ago.

As they narrate their intertwined histories, we benefit from Gitlitz’s approach. We appreciate another level of the history of the game in the 1970s and 1980s. In revisiting their intense rivalry, we acknowledge the underestimated skill that it took as they evolved the game, themselves, and each other. During the talk back after the screening, Chris reminded the audience that the equipment they played with to achieve power was nothing like today’s. It was their own power and conditioning that revved up their strokes because they played with wooden racquets. Also, she reminded the audience that today, the greats have whole armies of experts that help them, from coaches to managers to nutritionists and more. Back then they had their will and those on the tour who were very generous in their support of each other. Back in the day with a different ethos, they all wanted to improve the game for themselves and helped each other.

It wasn’t as commercial as today because tennis wasn’t “a thing.” Interestingly, their competitive wills and ambition to be great helped to make tennis “a thing” along with the phenomenal Billie Jean King who started it. That is why her name is on the national stadium of the US Open in Flushing Meadow because she is and always will be the ambassador of US tennis to the world.

The documentarian points out that as a result of Chris and Martina, women and girls became interested in tennis like never before. Their rivalry, as Billie Jean King comments in the film, their stories and successes launched women’s tennis to another level. Donors added to prize money and advertisers employed them to market their brands. All of this increased the importance and notoriety of the game for average folk and reoriented tennis’ meaning. For tennis had been a sport of the elites since its founding by monks in France.

The film highlights how Chris was older and started winning as a teenager. Though fans thought she was cute, her opponents on the tour sometimes kept their distance. Of course, she walloped them and that was both terrifying and depressing for them and exhilarating for her.

When Martina arrived a few years after, she was a total character, not as conditioned as Chris, but someone on the horizon everyone looked to as a potentially great player. When she started to win matches against Chris, the rivalry ratcheted up a few notches. Determined to continue on her own and not be told who to play for, Martina, who hailed from Czechoslovakia, ended up defecting from the communist country, leaving her family and all behind for tennis. She didn’t want to represent a communist country who monitored her every step. She loved the freedom of the US. But seeking asylum came with the price she might never see her parents or sister again.

Chris never initially knew what sacrifices Martina made to defect. However, Martina discusses the defection in the film. For a long while, she had to be her own best friend as she pursued success in the game. She makes it clear that what she was up against wasn’t easy and she felt alone.

Both players pushed each other towards the ultimate goal of being the number one tennis player in the world. As the rivalry wore on and they became friends, playing Doubles, it was apparent that both were tirelessly committed to the sport.

As information to the public, Chris and Martina allow the director to film their friendship and support during their battles with cancer. With no holds barred, the same courage we note that they had on the court to become champions becomes the same courage they rely on to go through the effects of their illness and medical treatment. We see the help of family and their support for each other through the difficult time. This is the most uplifting part of the film as they celebrate their progress and announce they are cancer free.

Their story of triumph and friendship shouldn’t be missed. It will be streaming on Netflix the end of June. For the write-up on the Tribeca Festival site see the link. https://tribecafilm.com/films/chris-martina-the-final-set-2026

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