International Tennis Hall of Fame Gives Evert Presidential Welcome

For someone whose game was basic baseline--some called it boring--Chris Evert sure made a showy entrance into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

Former President George Bush did the honors Sunday, presenting Evert with her enshrinement certificate at the site where America’s first national championship was held.

“This weekend is not only about the results, but the beginning,” Evert said.

However, the results of her 18-year career were staggering.

She won at least one Grand Slam tournament singles title every year between 1974 and 1986--three times at Wimbledon, twice at the Australian Open, a record seven French Opens and six U.S. Opens. Add three Grand Slam event doubles victories and 139 other professional singles titles and the “boring baseline” tag simply disappears.

“I belong here,” Evert said of the Hall of Fame. “This is one big happy family.”

Said Bush: “I don’t do news conferences. I don’t do issues. I do what I like to do in life. I came here as a tennis fan, sometime player and friend and avid supporter of Chris.”