Stories of the Open Era: Chris Evert, Queen of Clay

Chris Evert is one of the greatest players in tennis history, and she may be the greatest clay-court player of all time.

The American was the the year-end world No. 1 seven times during her illustrious career, racking up a total of 157 singles titles. Eighteen of those wins were at the Grand Slams, and another four were in the tour championships.

While Chrissie was an incredible performer on all surfaces, it was clay that brought out the best in her. Evert won the French Open seven times in her career, and as dominant as she was on the slow surface, some of those titles were extremely difficult to earn.

Evert had to beat Martina Navratilova in three of those finals, including her last two, in 1985 and 1986. Navratilova won two French Open titles herself, and she was also Evert's biggest rival on the court. The two always played tough matches, but it was Evert who was the better of the two when it came to this surface.

She was, however, better than almost everybody. That's why she has been called the Queen of Clay.

This week on Tennis Channel Plus:

—ATP Houston Outer Courts (4/9-4/13)

Catch all the action from the U.S. Men's Clay Court Championship with outer court coverage live on Tennis Channel Plus beginning Monday April 9 at 4 p.m. ET

—ATP Marrakech Final (4/15)

Don’t miss the Grand Prix Hassan II final live on Tennis Channel Plus Sunday April 15 at 9 a.m. ET

—ATP Monte-Carlo (4/15-4/22)

Watch first to last ball of the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters live on Tennis Channel Plus beginning Sunday April 15 at 7 a.m. ET