‘Chris & Martina: The Final Set’ (2026) Netflix Review - A Moving Portrayal of Rivalry and Friendship

As the name already suggests, this sports documentary revolves around tennis legends Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova, who faced each other over 80 times in the course of their career. Their rivalry was what defined women’s tennis in the late 1970s and 1980s. This helped in both those becoming household names while also getting lots of popularity for the sports they were associated with.  It goes without saying that they inspired the future generations of female athletes.

We see the documentary open by revisiting the early years of their careers. Chris Evert comes across as someone who is composed, while Martina Navratilova is the type of player known for being bold and fiercely determined. She defected from the communist Czechoslovakia in order to fulfill her dream. And while these two players come from different backgrounds, it was tennis that bound them.

These two aren’t simple rivals. And this is what Chris & Martina: The Final Set makes it obvious to us viewers. Their rivalry created tension, admiration for each other, and also sometimes periods of emotional distance. For Evert, embracing friendship with someone she had defeated repeatedly was no easier than one might think it to be. On the other hand, for Navratilova, juggling the feeling of loneliness that comes with being an outsider who also happens to be a champion was difficult.

With the help of archived footage and videos, we get to see Wimbledon finals, some rivalries, and many post-match interviews that capture the feeling correctly. And when you see that, you do understand why these matches attracted global attention. A lot of credit has to be given to the fact that they changed the perception of women’s sports.

And that isn’t the only thing that Chris & Martina: The Final Set deals with. The plot gradually makes the shift to the off-court life of the players. There are a number of personal struggles that both Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova faced. For example, Evert’s ovarian cancer and Navratilova’s breast and throat cancer journey are covered in great detail. I must admit, they are some of the most heartbreaking scenes that you will ever see. And since they are both dealing with the same issue, we get to see how they become compassionate about each other, which further deepens their friendship. And while it might be sad to see these players battle what they are battling, it is equally heart-warming to see them together in this journey of fighting cancer.

However, even with all this, Chris & Martina: The Final Set is not without its shortcomings. I feel that certain aspects of the player's life weren’t explored in much depth as they should have been. For example, Navratilova's journey of defection and the challenges she faced as a gay athlete haven’t been given much attention. At the same time, there were periods of strain in the friendship of these players, which also haven’t been explored well. Having said that, this doesn’t mean that the makers were trying to ensure that the documentary is all good. They did cover a lot, just these aspects feel a bit unexplored.

But even with all this, Chris & Martina: The Final Set is a great watch for those who have been a tennis fan, with the issues mentioned above, which can be easily ignored.  It offers a lot and manages to inspire you even after all these years.

Final Score- [7/10]
Reviewed by - Neerja Ch
Follow @NeerjaCH on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times