May 12, 1979 – Women’s tennis star Chris Evert Lloyd had her amazing run of 125 matches won on clay courts come to an end. The streak lasted for over six years as Ms. Lloyd could not be beaten on the clay surface until Tracy Austin defeated her 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 at Foro Italico during the Italian Open.
At the time it was the longest string of victories ever recorded in tennis. Lloyd was admittedly tired after the over three-hour match when the 25-year-old succumbed to the teenager Austin in the final hard-fought set.
During her illustrious career, Evert won 18 Grand Slam singles championships, including a record seven championships at the French Open and a record six championships at the U.S. Open.
To find more great daily sports history make sure to check out the Sports Jersey Dispatch and Pigskin Dispatch.
More From Sports History Network

Larry Brown – Is He Hall of Fame Worthy?
A committee member recently asked me my opinion on inducting former Washington Redskins running

Three Nations Looking To Break Long-Standing Curses at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
The League of Ireland Premier Division stands as the pinnacle of domestic soccer in

1970s Minnesota Vikings : Would A Better QB Helped Them Win A Super Bowl?
Here’s a question I often hear, especially from Minnesota Vikings fans: Would the 1970

The 7 Most Successful Athletes From Delaware in the Last 20 Years
Delaware may stand as the second smallest state, but it has delivered some of

How Sports Fandom Became a 24/7 Digital Spectacle
Once, being a fan meant showing up on game day and turning off once

History Of Counter-Strike Skins
Weapon cosmetics turned online battles into a showcase of style and status. The changing

Jim Finks: A Builder of Winners
Jim Finks could have spent his life as the answer to this trivia question,

1975 Baltimore Colts: A Year In Review
From 1957 to 1971, the Baltimore Colts never experienced a losing season. They played