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
Olympic Weightlifting Career of an Average Joe
The first time I witnessed Weightlifting was on the television show “Wide World of
Peek Into Glass Backboards: A Coast to Coast Anthology of American Basketball
The following is an excerpt from Glass Backboards: A Coast to Coast Anthology of
Bracket Busters: Upsets to Watch in March Madness
As the calendar flips to March, college basketball fans brace themselves for the annual
The Story of the 1967 Los Angeles Rams
From 1956 to 1965, the LA Rams were not a good football team, posting
Great Wide Receivers From The 70s Before the 1978 Rule Change
Pro football has provided a showcase for the many different wide receivers who buckled
In The Beginning: An Interview With Joseph T. Sternaman
And, you may ask, who is Joseph T. Sternaman? Sternaman was more commonly known
Michael Jordan: Domination Through March Madness
Widely regarded as the greatest basketball player ever, Michael Jordan first captivated fans across
Triumph and Tragedy: The 1936 Olympics in Berlin
In the annals of Olympic history, few editions have been as impactful and controversial