Chris Evert, Boris Becker, and others from the tennis community pay tribute to Matthew Perry after 'Friends' star's tragic demise

Matthew Perry (left), Chris Evert (top-right), and Boris Becker (bottom-right)
Matthew Perry (left), Chris Evert (top-right), and Boris Becker (bottom-right)

Chris Evert recently paid her respects to Matthew Perry, whose tragic demise has left a void in the entertainment industry and left fans shocked around the globe.

Matthew Perry, popularly celebrated for his role as "Chandler Bing" in the American sitcom F.R.I.E.N.D.S, sadly passed away on Saturday (October 28) aged 54. The entertainment star was found dead in his Los Angeles home due to an apparent case of drowning.

Owing to his performance in F.R.I.E.N.D.S, which ran for 10 seasons spanning from 1994-2004, Perry instantly grasped the audience with his dry sarcastic character and further received a Primetime Emmy nomination in 2002. Last year, he also wrote a book titled 'Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing: A Memoir'.

While fans continue to mourn the late American-Canadian actor and remember his comedic talents, several tennis players also paid their respects to the late star.

Chris Evert recently took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to dedicate a heartfelt message for Matthew Perry.

"RIP Matthew Perry, you were a bright light to so many. Your warmth and humor will be dearly missed. You were brave and a fighter, and will always be in our hearts," she wrote on X.

Canadian tennis player Denis Shapovalov also took to social media to pay tribute to Perry after his tragic demise.

"RIP Matthew. Thank you for bringing me and the world so much laughter," he wrote on Instagram.
Screenshot from Denis Shapovalov's Instagram account Screenshot from Daniela Hantuchova's Instagram account
Screenshot from Denis Shapovalov's Instagram account Screenshot from Daniela Hantuchova's Instagram account

Here are some more reactions from the tennis community:

Screenshot from Boris Becker's Instagram account
Screenshot from Boris Becker's Instagram account
Screenshot from Daniela Hantuchova's Instagram account
Screenshot from Daniela Hantuchova's Instagram account
Screenshot from tennis players' Instagram account
Screenshot from tennis players' Instagram account

Chris Evert when she saw Jimmy Connors with another woman during her 1975 Wimbledon SF against Billie Jean King - “I just saw him up in the stands with another woman and it sort of threw me off”

Chris Evert faced Billie Jean King during her 1975 Wimbledon SF
Chris Evert faced Billie Jean King during her 1975 Wimbledon SF

Chris Evert and Jimmy Connors were a dynamic couple when they grabbed the limelight in the early 1970s. However, shortly after, their wedding was called off.

In an interview from 1990, the American disclosed that the pair was on the brink of separating when she spotted Jimmy Connors with another woman in the stands.

This incident occurred during her SF defeat to Billie Jean King in the 1975 Wimbledon Championships.

“I don’t think actually (Jimmy Connors) appreciates me mentioning this, but I will anyway since I opened my big mouth about it. But I was playing Billie Jean and I was up in the third, and at that time, we were going through, you know, we were sort of very, very rocky. I think we were breaking up actually. But I still had a lot of feelings for him, and I think I looked up and saw Jimmy with another girl,” she said.

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