Chris and Martina: Final Set Review – tennis stars discuss their deep relationship and biggest feud | Video

Here is a Netflix documentary that has a real story to tell: the giant and the conflict (or conflict) between Chris Evert and Martina Navratilovatwo titans who in the late 70s and 80s dominated women’s tennis around the world and did so much to promote the game that their presence, fortunately, helped stop some sexists who doubted the potential of women’s football. The film shows us their close relationship now, supporting each other as they both face cancer.

It is a very good looking film, which makes a strong and valid point that even in the most difficult world of professional sports there is, in fact, a place for true friendship with “sport”. But it leaves no doubt that Evert’s relationship with Navratilova, while genuine, may be more complicated than it currently appears. And these double narratives steer, a little, away from the part of the story that for me is most compelling: the dramatic drama of Navratilova’s daring defection in 1975, at the age of 18, from communist Czechoslovakia to the US. He knew he might never see his mother or sister again, and for a while he faced the very real threat of capture by Soviet or Czech forces. (Nureyev was 23 when he left, Chess star Victor Korchnoi 45.)

So what does an 18-year-old do, without a family, in a foreign country? The answer seems to be: find an alternative, practical, kinship in the world of women’s tennis, a world that Evert and Navratilova may have experienced differently, respectively straight and gay.

The film takes us through the ups and downs of Chris and Martina’s relationship: an early, simple friendship and a double partnership, a break when Chris focused on his career, a time when they were very different, then their reconciliation deepened as they embraced the global economy. We hear from other stars, including Pam Shriver and Zina Garrison who were closed by the Evert / Navratilova duopoly – and, of course, from John McEnroe.

As ever with American records about tennis, I smile at the myths of British culture that appear, no doubt to unsuspecting American viewers; we hear BBC commentator Dan Maskell calling Navratilova “the greatest player we’ve ever seen” and continue to see the Duchess of Kent present the Wimbledon trophy.