I just wish I could see the whole match. Evert tried very hard to develop a plan b for Austin, and said she got her inspiration from watching Goolagong play her at Wimbledon. This was the first baseliner in many a moon who she could not beat with a steadier game, better attention to fundamentals, and more focus. Evert really had to play outside her familiar comfort zone a lot more of the time.
I've seen the entire match. I have it on DVD (Bootleg copy from CBS).
I don't doubt Evonne's Wimbledon win inspired Chris. But Evonne's game is very different from Chris'. While Austin was overall the steadier of the two, Chris had greater variety and flexibility. Chris Evert being Chris Evert relied on and reverted to her natural game - out-steadying her opponent - when facing Austin. Once Austin matured as a player and developed full confidence against Chris, the steady game wasn't the one for Chris to play against Tracy.
And the "mental damage" was done to Evert's psyche vs. Austin, beginning with the 1979 US Open final, and fully engaged with Tracy's 3 devastating wins over Chris in a 10 day period in January 1980. All 3 were on a fast indoor carpet - the surface where Austin was at her best and Evert at her worst. Chris took those losses as too big a sign that Austin was unbeatable. Tracy had her number, albeit briefly.
Their 1980 US Open semi was an intriguing one. And odd in that it began at 11:00am on the Stadium Court, barely half full, and commencing under gray skies. It actually sprinkled a bit at the start, and they briefly stopped play. I thought Chris was striking the ball very well in the beginning. Although Tracy built a quick 4-0 lead, many of the points and games were close, with few easy shots or bad errors. The early score line probably gave Austin false hope this would be another easy win. And Chris wasn't dismayed. From that 0-4 deficit, Chris won 16 of the next 20 games! Midway through the second set, the tide definitely turned, and it was clear Austin was struggling with her movement, and Chris was gaining in confidence. The opening of the third was close only for the first two games. After that, Evert took full control.
Chris did employ a 'Plan B' of sorts. She was clearly the aggressor in the match. Austin was more content to rally and retrieve. If Austin threw up a moon ball or short reply, Evert stepped in and put the ball away. It was fun seeing Chris hit smashes off Austin's weaker shots - and clearly send a signal to Tracy she would have to do more. Austin became stiffer as the match wore on. She was doing more of the running. And it is oh so clear Austin was not a natural athlete, nor did she have Evert's effortless feet or fleet of movement. On a few occasions, Austin pushed back high moon balls to Chris, and she would just stop moving after she hit the ball.
Evert was ruthless near the end of the match, drop shotting and passing Tracy at will. at 5-1 in the third, Chris manipulated Tracy all over the court, like she was a play thing. Austin was so frustrated and dejected. As was her coach Robert Landsorp, who was forced to roll his eyes in a dejected sense of impending defeat. Which came on an Evert drop shot at match point that Austin couldn't handle.
Evert's play in that match may have been a little out of her real comfort zone for that time. But, she played very similarly from the mid 1980s (the time she started using graphite), much more willing to step in and play more aggressively from the baseline or mid court, and end points sooner.
Their battles were definitely mental. Too bad they didn't play more often. Especially on clay!
