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
My Book 10-Year Anniversary (NFL in the 1970s)
In 2008, I decided to write a book. I wanted this book to be
How Premier League football has become a hit with US fans
Manchester City’s 2-1 win over Arsenal in April 2026 became the most-watched Premier League
Every Generation Thinks It Has Finally Cleaned Up The Game
Eight Chicago White Sox players threw the 1919 World Series, and baseball responded by
NBA Gambling Scandal Timeline: Every Case, 1951–2026
Every major NBA gambling scandal has followed the same sequence: unusual money moves, someone
Top 10 Overall Number One Draft Picks – NBA and ABA
Welcome to the Total Sports Recall podcast as on this episode we move to
How Does Luis de la Fuente’s Spain Compare to the 2010 World Cup Winners?
Spain are world champions again. Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal in extra-time as
1970s Rivalry (Pittsburgh Steelers v. Dallas Cowboys)
The Pittsburgh Steelers, then known as the Pittsburgh Pirates, joined the NFL in 1933.
Could the Heartland Support Another Women’s Professional Basketball League?
Every great idea begins with a simple question. What if? What if another women’s