The shock romance between sporting legends Greg Norman and Chris Evert left a trail of heartbreak and emotional destruction – two longstanding marriages in tatters, best friends betrayed and five children devastated.

But what was supposed to be a second chance at happiness for Greg and Chris, both 54, has ended abruptly just 15 months after their lavish wedding, leaving baffled friends and family alike asking: ‘What went wrong?’

Those close to the couple have revealed the shock reasons for the split between the Aussie golf great and the US tennis icon.

As Greg riled from Chris’ jealousy and controlling nature, they faced bitter disapproval from the children of their previous marriages. They were also unable to agree on the most basic of things, and lived separately for most of their brief marriage as they constantly argued about where they should settle down.

The couple’s closest friends are speaking out for them, saying the marriage collapsed amid accusations Greg ignored Chris in favour of his multimillion-dollar business empire, while she is said to be an ‘ice maiden’ who made extraordinary demands of him.

Greg soon discovered Chris was a ‘witch on wheels’, claims a source, adding: ‘Chris is extremely difficult to live with. It’s her way or the highway. Greg says he’s cutting his losses and getting out. There was no point investing anymore time in the relationship.’

Increasing tension
This description of Chris is backed up by the best friend of her former husband Andy Mill. Speaking exclusively to New Idea, Paul Tejera says she’s known for being distant, even to those closest to her. He adds: ‘Is she cold? Absolutely. Is she cold-hearted? That too.’

Sources say Greg soon riled against her bossy nature. 'There was a lot of tension in the marriage over the past three months,’ one source explains. ‘Greg felt she wanted him to become her lap dog – and she hated hearing about his past life and his marriage to his first wife.’

Chris wouldn’t stay at Greg’s luxurious Florida estate, ironically named Tranquility, as she didn’t want to sleep in the bedroom he’d shared with Laura Andrassy, his first wife of 25 years. Friends say she was also jealous that the home’s spectacular renovations had been completed by Laura.

Battle of the egos
An ugly clash of egos between the sporting giants has emerged, too. 'Chris couldn’t handle the fact Greg was a bigger star,’ a source says. ‘She’s always been someone who likes to see things done her way. She found that easy in her other marriages – to UK tennis player John Lloyd and former US Olympic skier Andy Mill – because she was the “celebrity”.’

Greg’s former mother in law, Laura Andrassy Snr, says warmth in a partner and a close-knit family life is integral to his happiness. 'Chris is not that type of person,’ she says. ‘I knew he’d be sorry because Laura took such good care of him. He was never going to find someone willing to do so much for him as Laura did.’

A close-knit family life was also out of the question. Laura Snr says there was tension with his kids Morgan-Leigh, 27, and Gregory Jnr, 23: ‘They were never happy about it. It’s hard to adjust to somebody else right away.’

Collateral damage
Indeed, Morgan has given a very telling indication of her feelings. After accompanying her dad to a dinner at The Presidents Cup golf tournament last week, she was heard telling a blonde friend she feels partly to blame for the split.

‘I don’t know why I feel guilty, I just do,’ Morgan said. ‘I would feel awful if that was true. I didn’t want to do anything to hurt him.’ Suggesting some of the issues that might have come up between Morgan and her stepmother, her friend responded: ‘There is no reason why she should have felt threatened by you. You’re not like that, you’re a wonderful person.’

Greg’s ex-wife Laura confirms their two children had a difficult relationship with Chris and were a major obstacle in their father’s new marriage – and she has little sympathy for him. 'He made his bed,’ Laura, 59, tells New Idea. ‘He and Chris are adults and were supposed to know what they were doing.

‘They say opposites attract. Here were two people very much alike – high-profile, narcissistic people – and that would make a relationship difficult.’

Pain remains
Andy, 55, has summed up the real tragedy – the pain inflicted on the kids: ‘I just feel bad for these two families, thinking about the destruction in the wake of what they’ve done.’

He has flown to Florida to be with his and Chris’ sons Alex, 18, Nicky, 15, and Colton, 13. Friends say he’s too nice to gloat. 'I cried routinely for close to three years,’ Andy says. ‘I loved my family. I loved Chris and our three sons and my life with them.’

As the families try to rebuild their shattered lives, top lawyers are bracing themselves for what could be a nasty divorce. It’s believed Greg insisted he didn’t need a pre-nup, but changed his mind. One was drawn up but Chris never signed it. It’s thought he’ll strike a deal to pay her more than $11 million.

‘He’s still a private person and wants this to go away quietly and quickly,’ a friend of Greg says. 

NO PRE-NUP!
After initially deciding against a pre-nup, it’s believed Greg had a change of heart – yet Chris never signed the one that was drawn up. While she may accept a deal that will see her paid more than $11 million, insiders say the pair might face a very messy court battle.

‘When you get two wealthy, competitive people squaring off, you have a recipe for an ugly, messy and bitterly fought-out divorce – and this one looks like it could rival the likes of Kim Basinger and Alec Baldwin,’ US celebrity lawyer John Cavan tells New Idea.

While Chris is believed to be worth $40 million, Greg is by far the richest with his personal wealth estimated at nearly $390 million – and that’s after his $114 million payout to ex-wife Laura and the financial crisis.

He still has business interests in wine, shirts, golf course design, a turf company, a restaurant in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, property and a line of premium steaks and beef products.

Chris had to pay out nearly $8 million to ex-husband Andy Mill. She’s been living at her $4 million property in Boca Raton, Florida, while Greg owns the $66 million Florida estate Tranquility, as well as another Florida home worth $7.75 million.

A source close to Greg says: ‘He hopes their separation will go smoothly. Ironically one of the reasons they split was that his business came before her – and now she could be set to take a stake of his fortune.’

Click here to read what Greg's first wife Laura has to say