Tennis legend Chris Evert announced that her ovarian cancer has returned for the third time in an emotional statement.
The 18-time Grand Slam winner, 71, who has battled the disease previously in 2021 and 2023, shared that she will be taking a step back from her professional commitments as she begins chemotherapy.
Evert was diagnosed with ovarian cancer again this week after undergoing an exploratory surgery following an abnormal CT scan.
‘I have always believed in being open and honest about my health journey,’ she said. ‘This past weekend, after undergoing CT and PET scans, I learned that my ovarian cancer has returned.’
Evert was scheduled to attend Wimbledon, which begins this week, but following her heartbreaking diagnosis will no longer be in attendance at the Grand Slam tournament in London.
‘I have already undergone surgery as the first step in my treatment and recovery, and will begin chemotherapy in the coming weeks,’ she continued.
Tennis legend Chris Evert, pictured at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 10, announced that her ovarian cancer has returned for a third time
The former Grand Slam winner, 71, has battled the disease previously in 2021 and 2023
Evert won 18 Grand Slam singles titles during her glittering career on the court
‘Because of this, I will not be attending Wimbledon this year, and I will step back from my professional commitments over the next few months to focus on my health.
‘Ovarian cancer is relentless, but I will stay optimistic and determined in continuing to fight this battle.
‘I am deeply grateful to my medical team, my family, friends and everyone who has reached out with kindness and encouragement. I look forward to seeing everyone again soon.’
Evert was first diagnosed with stage 1 BRCA-related ovarian cancer in December of 2021. She completed chemotherapy in May of 2022, telling the public that her doctor was confident that the disease would not return because it was caught early.
In early 2023, the three-time Wimbledon champion shard that she was in remission. However, just months later she revealed that her cancer had returned.
‘While this is a diagnosis I never wanted to hear, I once again feel fortunate that it was caught early,’ she said in a December 2023 statement. ‘I encourage everyone to know your family history and advocate for yourself. Early detection saves lives. Be thankful for your health this holiday season.’
Evert was undergoing routine checks while she was in remission from her first bout with the disease and that allowed doctors to once again benefit from early detection.
Following her second diagnosis, Evert has campaigned strongly for people to undergo genetic testing to enable early detection.
The three-time Wimbledon champion, pictured at the Grand Slam in 2022, announced she would not be attending the tournament this year due to her diagnosis
The American is pictured in action during the semifinald of Wimbledon in 1981
‘I really have to live my best life right now, and I have to get out there, be an advocate for the BRCA gene, genetic testing,’ she told ABC’s Good Morning America in August 2024.
The BRCA gene test allows doctors to examine DNA to look for mutations that can lead to breast or ovarian cancer.
‘Get it done,’ Evert said of the test. ‘Go to your exams. Any time you have to have something checked out, if you feel something not quite right, go to the doctor. Don’t think that you’re going to be a Prima donna. Get it checked out.’
Her initial cancer diagnosis, which came in January of 2022, came two years after Evert lost her sister to the disease.
Her sister, Jeanne Evert Dubin, died from ovarian cancer in February 2020 at age 62.
‘Be your own advocate. Know your family’s history. Have total awareness of your body, follow your gut and be aware of changes,’ Evert said in 2022. ‘Don’t try to be a crusader and think this will pass.’
Evert’s emotional announcement came just days after her Netflix documentary with former foe Martina Navratilova – Chris & Martina: The Final Set – was released.
The pair, whose fierce on-court rivalry was notorious during their playing careers, put their competition aside to candidly discuss their joint battles with cancer.
Navratilova was diagnosed with stage 1 throat cancer and early-stage breast cancer in January 2023. She received the all-clear from her doctors later that year.
Both Navratilova and Evert won 18 Grand Slam titles during their glittering careers on the court.
More to follow.
