Evert Says She Doesn’t Expect to Play Full Season on Tennis Circuit in 1988

Chris Evert, claiming she would “be really surprised” if she plays a full season of tennis next year, said Wednesday in Washington that she would like to end her career with a series of exhibition matches against longtime rival Martina Navratilova.

“I’ve been watching Julius Erving’s farewell tour,” Evert said of the retired Philadelphia 76ers star. “And after I’m through playing on the tennis circuit, I’d like to do something like that, playing Martina in cities where they don’t have tournaments.”

Evert, a major force in women’s tennis since 1974, received a $25,000 check as the first recipient of the Wheaties Champion Award. The award recognizes an athlete not only for his or her abilities, but for off-the-field qualities as well.

Evert, 32, was nominated for the award by 39 sportswriters and selected from a panel that included former President Ford. In a ceremony at the White House, Evert turned over the check to the Just Say No Foundation, an anti-drug organization.

A record purse of almost $4 million will be offered at this year’s U.S. Open, with the two champions each earning $250,000.

Gordon Jorgensen, president of the United States Tennis Assn. and chairman of the U.S. Open, announced Wednesday that the total purse at Flushing Meadow for the Aug. 31-Sept. 13 tournament will be $3,979,294. The total for 1986 was $3,450,800.