Original Air Date:
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
A Famous Tennis Rivalry:
For years Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova were seen as bitter rivals, not many know that they actually have a very strong and long lasting friendship. In the 70s Chris showed the tennis world a symbol of femininity and strength and someone to talk about in the tabloids due to who she was dating. Martina was Chris' perfect opposite but even her personal life was in the news because of being openly gay. The pair formed a bond and were very supportive of each other through the years - and even now that they are both retired.
Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova's Friendship:
When Martina came to the US, Chris was already a star, but the 2 remember meeting each other in those days - Martina remembers being thrilled that Chris Evert had said hello to her.
Chris was trained from an early age to not let her competitors see her emotions, this made the news label and say that she had trained her mind to be a champion - it was that talent Chris had over her competition, saying she was a good athlete, but not great.
Martina was the opposite and not trained mentally, but as a great athlete. Martina didn't learn about the "head" game until her mid 20s.
Chris Evert's Tennis Academy:
Chris Evert's tennis academy in Florida is where she spends much of her time when she is not taking care of her 3 sons and getting ready to get married. Chris takes the opportunity to talk to the kids at the school about the mental game and give them tips - loving to see the passion in the next generation. Chris will be opening tennis centers in golf clubs soon with her husband Greg Norman.
Chris shared that she is in the best shape of her life, noting that it was Martina that drove her to work harder to keep up with her physically when she started to win more frequently.
Martina's Home in Aspen, Colorado:
Martina is still in great shape now and takes advantage of her Aspen home to work out outdoors and eat well. Martina takes advantage of her life in the US after leaving Czechoslovakia and not being able to see her family for years and not returning to her country for 11 years.
Being openly gay in the past used to be a negative thing for Martina, but she is happy that people are coming around and being more accepting now. Chris shared that Martina was always living her truth and felt great about herself. It's that same support that the pair has always shared - they are bonded for life.
Rutgers University Women's Basketball Coach Vivian Stringer:
Vivian Stringer has been known most recently as the coach of the Rutgers University women's basketball team that received racial comments from radio personality Don Imus. The public was amazed at the way the women carried themselves through the situation, but not many know of the struggles that Vivian has faced in her life until now. She tells her story in her new book Standing Tall.
Vivian was raised by a father who lost his legs in a mining accident, lost her husband to a heart attack at 47, survived breast cancer, and worked hard to raise a child with special needs.
Vivian's Life Lessons:
Vivian feels that her best legacy has been the hundreds of women that she has touched in her nearly 40 year career as a coach. It is through her students and her family that she has learned major life lessons such as not giving excuses, not complaining from her father - but being grateful, and learning that it's about the way we react to a situation and not the situation itself that matters. It is through her family and students that she finds inspiration and hopes to now inspire others.
The Don Imus Controversy:
After the Don Imus comment, Vivian said that she was so angry and wanted to fight to protect her surrogate children, but she knew that she had to stand up for them and show them how to respond. The meeting between Imus and the team was very serious according to Vivian, with each player having the opportunity to speak their mind. While she felt his wife grasped the impact, she doesn't know if Don Imus really understood - but either way, they had to find closure and learn to forgive and move on.
Vivian's Fight with Breast Cancer:
Ten years ago, Vivian struggled to fight breast cancer alone after losing her husband. Not wanting to burden her family, Vivian kept the news to herself and reached out to a stranger for comfort. This woman had been through the same battle and gave Vivian the encouragement that she needed. She met the woman, Lonnie, for the first time on the show and told her what an angel she had been and that Vivian hoped she could do the same for someone else. Through her book Standing Tall and her article in O Magazine, Vivian Stringer will certainly touch many lives.
