Chris Evert's US Open Confession: Tennis Star Reveals Initial Fear of Cliff Drysdale After 46 Years at ESPN

Chris Evert, the former World No. 1 tennis player, gave an emotional tribute to Cliff Drysdale at the 2025 US Open in New York. On Thursday, September 4, Evert shared a personal story on air as Drysdale retired from ESPN after 46 years. Drysdale, who joined ESPN in 1979 as one of the company’s first commentators, became the longest-serving tennis voice on the network. The South African, now 83, has been a familiar sound for generations of fans and worked alongside legends like Evert during his career.During the live broadcast at the US Open in New York, Chris Evert spoke about her early memories of Cliff Drysdale from the tennis tour. Evert, who won 18 Grand Slam titles, revealed that she was often nervous around him in their younger days.“Every time I saw you walking towards me at a tournament, I would stop, turn around, and run,” Evert said. “I was petrified of you because I saw the most handsome man walking towards me with charisma, swagger, and confidence, and you made me feel very unsettled.”She then explained how her opinion changed once they became colleagues at ESPN. “When I started working with you, I realized after the first meeting that everybody on the team adored you. You were the leader, and you made your analysts feel like the stars,” Chris Evert added.Along with Chris Evert, several other stars paid tribute to Cliff Drysdale during ESPN’s special video segment that aired on September 4, 2025. Mary Joe Fernandez, John McEnroe, Patrick McEnroe, Darren Cahill, and Rennae Stubbs all shared stories about his kindness and humor.Chris Evert summed up his legacy simply: “Cliff Drysdale, to me, is legendary. Commentary, play-by-play, he did it all. The sound of his voice is so comforting.”Also Read: Conor McGregor Fires Up Dublin Crowd With Fiery Speech Asking Fans To Back His Run For Ireland PresidentBorn in Nelspruit, South Africa, Cliff Drysdale had a great playing career as well as a renowned commentator. He achieved a career-highest World. Co-founder of the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP), No. 4 subsequently became its first chairman. His work helped to create the current professional tour. Cliff Drysdale was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2013. When his retirement was made public at the 2025 US Open, he closed a chapter started with ESPN's establishment in 1979. His voice led spectators through the most significant contests in the game for more than forty years, thereby cementing his place as among the longest lasting characters in tennis.