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
The Evolution of Prediction: From Ancient Gambling to FanDuel Predict
A Modern Take on a Long Tradition of Sports Forecasting Image by David from
The Result No One Expected Is Usually Built Earlier Than It Looks
A true upset does not feel surprising only because the underdog wins. It lands
FIFA World Cup’s Worst Ever Cases of Inter-Squad Turmoil
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is fast approaching, and while excitement levels are ramping
The 2026 Transfer Window Sparks Early Attention
Off-season activity in soccer during 2026 keeps showing familiar patterns: big-name transfers, shifts in
How Online Sportsbooks Have Changed the Way Fans Experience Games
Sports have always been about moments, but the way fans experience those moments has
The Oakland Raiders Depth at Tight End During the 1970s
The Oakland Raiders experienced a good degree of glory during the 1970s, as they
What Happened the First Time Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo Played at the FIFA World Cup?
The upcoming World Cup will be a monumental one for plenty of reasons. But
The Role of Podcasts in Preserving Sports History for New Generations
Remember the old VHS tapes gathering dust in basements? Those bulky cassettes holding grainy