Chris Evert's illustrious tennis career is filled with remarkable achievements, one of which was her unprecedented consistency in Grand Slam tournaments. For over a decade, Evert reached at least the semifinals in every Grand Slam she competed in, a streak spanning 34 tournaments from 1971 until 1983. This incredible run came to a surprising and abrupt end at Wimbledon in 1983, marking the first time she failed to reach the second week of a Grand Slam tournament.

Evert entered the 1983 Wimbledon Championships with high expectations, having won 15 Grand Slam titles by then. However, her performance was hindered by an unfortunate bout of illness. According to her husband, John Lloyd, Evert was struck by a severe stomach virus the night before her third-round match against Kathy Jordan. The illness was so intense that it caused "violent, unreal" vomiting and left her in a delirious state by early morning​​.

Despite her condition, Evert decided to compete. Her determination was evident when she refused to use her illness as an excuse, stating, "I don't make excuses. I wouldn't have walked on court if I hadn't felt fit...if I hadn't thought I could perform"​​. However, her weakened state was apparent during the match. As reported by Neil Amdur in The New York Times, John Lloyd had to call a tournament physician at 2 A.M. for medical assistance due to her nausea. Evert was too exhausted to practice before the match, but the order of play could not be changed, forcing her to compete in a debilitated state​​.

Kathy Jordan, Evert's opponent, capitalized on this rare vulnerability. Jordan, a 23-year-old serve-and-volley specialist, played with determination and effectiveness, particularly in the second-set tiebreaker, which she won 7-2. Reflecting on her victory, Jordan said, "Today I felt I was going to do well, I felt determined"​​. Jordan's performance, coupled with Evert's weakened condition, led to a 6-1, 7-6 upset, marking Evert's earliest exit from a Grand Slam tournament.

This defeat was a significant moment in tennis history, not only for ending Evert's streak but also for highlighting the physical and mental resilience required at the highest levels of the sport. Fellow tennis legends like Martina Navratilova and Billie Jean King praised Evert's prior record, with Navratilova calling it "an unbelievable feat" and King describing it as "a miracle of an achievement"​​.

Evert's loss at Wimbledon in 1983 remains a notable event, underscoring the challenges even the greatest athletes face and the unpredictability of sports. Despite this setback, Evert continued to have a highly successful career, further cementing her legacy as one of tennis's all-time greats.