"Look, you gotta show some balls out there": Evert's advice to Tomljanovic before historic Serena Williams clash shown on Break Point

WTA
Thursday, 22 June 2023 at 12:00
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Ajla Tomljanovic and Chris Evert have a really special relationship with the former legendary player serving as a mentor to the Australian tennis player.
In the second part of the first season of Break Point, Ajla Tomljanovic was shown preparing for the match against Serena Williams at the US Open. The Australian became the final player to have beaten the American legend as Williams retired after that grand slam. In the episode, Evert was seen calling Tomljanovic the night before the match.
"Chrissy is calling me. Hey, Chrissy, I'm in my room," said Tomljanovic.
Evert then told her:
"Look, you gotta show some balls out there tomorrow night. You gotta show some balls. Not just in your tennis playing, but just don't. She's American, they're going to be cheering for her. Don't let that bother you, okay? Honestly, it's nothing personal, it's nothing personal."

Special relationship

The relationship Tomljanovic and Evert share is very special. For the Australian player, it's a very close bond that evolved from her admiration towards a legendary player who become a mentor and friend first. Since then Evert became more like a second mom to Tomljanovic, especially when it comes to tennis things:
"Chris Evert went from being Chris Evert, the legend to mentor/friend, almost like, you know, a second mom."
It's a very similar thing for Evert who called Tomljanovic her daughter as Evert herself has 3 sons:
"She's my daughter. I didn't have a daughter, I had three sons."
The Australian utliamtely ended up beating Williams thanks to adopting a very healthy mindset before the match:
"I have to manage my emotions well tonight and be more fearless than usually, just because there is a chance that I could get overwhelmed and intimidated. I just wanna go out there and have no doubts."

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