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
NBA Casino Sponsorships: Full History & 2026 Deal Guide
Inside the NBA Casino Sponsorship Boom For most of its history, the NBA treated
The First Gridiron Game
This article was originally published by the Pro Football Researchers Association. You can find
1972/1973 NBA Champion New York Knicks – A Total Team Effort
After winning the NBA Championship in 1970, the Knicks returned to the playoffs in
15 Best Golf Affiliate Programs: A Complete Guide for Golf Content Creators
Golfers are big spenders — over $2,000 a year on average. If you love
The First 20 Number One Overall Drafts Picks – NFL
Welcome to the Total Sports Recall podcast. I’m Harv Aronson and this episode is
The First 20 Number One Overall Drafts Picks – MLB
While the NFL steals the spotlight when it comes to amateur drafts, the other
The Changing Role of Sports Mascots
Sports history is usually told through championships, box scores, coaches and athletes. Yet another
Remembering Tampa Bay’s First Two Seasons
In 1976 and 1977, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers experienced what is probably the worst