Chris & Martina: The Final Set Directed by Rebecca Gitlitz

Why It Matters

The film reframes iconic sports rivalry as a human story of illness and resilience, resonating with audiences beyond tennis and underscoring the power of shared adversity.

Key Takeaways

• Film chronicles 20-year rivalry between Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova.
• Cancer diagnoses united the tennis legends, reshaping their bond.
• Documentary explores mortality, identity, and resilience beyond sport.
• Director aims to portray them as multidimensional, not just athletes.
• Premiering at Tribeca, film seeks broader audience empathy.

Summary

The documentary "Chris & Martina: The Final Set" directed by Rebecca Gitlitz examines the legendary 20‑year rivalry between Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova, two of tennis’s most iconic figures. The film, set to debut at the Tribeca Film Festival, follows their journey from fierce competition to a shared battle with cancer, framing their story as both a sports saga and a personal odyssey.

Gitlitz highlights how the diagnosis of cancer—Evert’s breast cancer and Navratilova’s pancreatic cancer—served as an unexpected catalyst that deepened their connection. The narrative interweaves archival match footage, personal interviews, and candid moments of vulnerability, illustrating how mortality forced both athletes to confront identity beyond the court and to redefine resilience.

Key moments include Navratilova describing their bond as "untouchable" and Evert reflecting on the paradox of rivalry and friendship. The director emphasizes that the women are not merely female athletes but multidimensional individuals whose love for the game and each other transcends competition.

By humanizing two sports icons, the film invites audiences to reconsider how elite athletes navigate personal crises, offering broader lessons on perseverance, empathy, and the universal struggle against illness.

Original Description

Director Rebecca Gitlitz joins us to talk about Chris & Martina: The Final Set a documentary that goes beyond the legendary rivalry between Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova to reveal something far more profound: a friendship forged through decades of competition and deepened through their parallel battles with cancer. Gitlitz shares why she hopes audiences walk away seeing these two icons not just as female athletes, but as fully human, complex, vulnerable, and extraordinary. World premiere June 10 at SVA Theatre, presented by City National Bank. Get tickets at the link below 🎾

https://tribecafilm.com/films/chris-martina-the-final-set-2026