Tennis icon Chris Evert has publicly supported Patrick McEnroe’s recent campaign to protect opportunities for American student-athletes. McEnroe, a former men’s doubles world number three, provided testimony on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, before the U.S. House Committee on Education & Workforce. During the hearing, the 60-year-old former Roland Garros champion raised concerns over the diminishing presence of domestic players within the American college sports landscape.
Evert, an 18-time major singles champion and former world number one, aligned herself with the cause after prominent media figures Megyn Kelly and Tomi Lahren expressed their approval of McEnroe’s stance. Both Kelly and Lahren utilized social media to highlight the former tennis star’s congressional testimony, noting the importance of his message regarding the future of national collegiate athletics.
While Evert is currently prioritizing her health following an announcement in June 2026 regarding a third recurrence of ovarian cancer, she remains engaged in these discussions. Reflecting on her own career trajectory, Evert has previously noted that she bypassed the collegiate system to join the professional tour immediately. In a 2022 CBS News interview, the tennis legend discussed how her early rise to global fame shaped her perspective, admitting that the unique experience left her feeling somewhat entitled and enabled during her formative years.
McEnroe’s plea before the legislative committee has struck a chord with several high-profile voices in American media and sports, sparking a wider conversation about the developmental pipeline for young domestic talent. By lending her voice to the debate, Evert has amplified the arguments presented by the younger brother of John McEnroe, emphasizing the need to prioritize homegrown athletes within the university system. The report also notes that who famously won the men’s doubles title at Roland Garros back in 1989, added, the 60-year-old.
