Chris Evert, one of the greatest legends in world tennis, has just confirmed that ovarian cancer has returned to her life, forcing her to withdraw from Wimbledon and all professional commitments to focus on her fight for survival. At 71 years old, the American, who won 18 Grand Slam titles, is now facing what may be the toughest battle of her life – and she is doing so publicly, with courage and a message of hope that does not leave anyone indifferent.
The confirmation came through an emotional Instagram post this weekend, where Evert revealed: “After undergoing a CT scan and PET scan, I learned that my ovarian cancer has returned. I have already undergone surgery as the first step of treatment and recovery, and I will start chemotherapy in the coming weeks.” This news comes shortly after Evert had been among the analysts at Roland Garros, and just days before she was set to appear at Wimbledon, where she was one of the main commentators for ESPN. It is now confirmed that she will not be at SW19 this year, choosing to prioritize her health above all: “Because of this, I will not be going to Wimbledon this year and will be stepping back from professional commitments in the coming months to focus on my health. Ovarian cancer is relentless, but I will remain optimistic and determined to continue this fight,” the former champion added.
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The return of the illness is a harsh blow for Evert, who had already faced and defeated this “adversary” for the first time in 2021, a year after losing her sister Jeanne to the same type of cancer. After surgery and six rounds of chemotherapy, she was declared cancer-free at the beginning of 2023, but in December of that same year, doctors found cancerous cells again in the pelvic region, necessitating another surgical intervention and another cycle of treatments. Evert entered remission once more at the beginning of this year, but the shadow of cancer has never stopped looming over her life.
The importance of this news transcends the world of tennis. In recent years, Chris Evert has become one of the most active and inspiring voices in the fight against ovarian cancer, sharing details of her journey with the public and raising awareness about the need for genetic screenings, early detection, and medical follow-up. It is worth noting that her own diagnosis came after she underwent genetic testing following her sister’s death, which confirmed the presence of the BRCA1 variant, responsible for significantly increasing the risk of cancer. Evert’s case exemplifies the vital importance of prevention and self-awareness.
The response from sports figures was swift. Martina Navratilova, a historic rival and longtime friend, commented: “My friend Chrissie is a champion of champions and, as such, will defeat this monster again. We are all rooting for you and know that you will come out on the other side cancer-free once more. Much love.” Billie Jean King also sent words of encouragement: “You are a champion and a fighter, and you will overcome this. We send love and prayers for a strong recovery.” These demonstrations of support reveal the impact that Evert continues to have on the world of sports and society, beyond the courts.
Navratilova is particularly touched by the situation, having also faced cancer on two occasions: first, with a breast cancer diagnosis in 2010, which she overcame after a lumpectomy, and more recently, in 2023, with the re-emergence of the disease and a new diagnosis of throat cancer. This sharing of experiences has further solidified the friendship between the two champions, which will be portrayed in the documentary “Chris & Martina: The Final Set,” set to premiere on June 26 on Netflix – a work that promises to move the audience even more by revealing Evert’s difficult reality.
Chris Evert’s withdrawal from Wimbledon and the media spotlight will undoubtedly be felt by fans and the international tennis community. For now, the focus is entirely on recovery and the fight against cancer, but her resilient and transparent attitude continues to inspire thousands of people. In addition, Evert has actively contributed to awareness campaigns, having launched a collection of tennis bracelets to support cancer prevention and being honored with the Excellence in Cancer Awareness Award in 2022.
The future is uncertain, but one thing is clear: Chris Evert remains determined to win, as she has always done both on and off the courts. Her return to her role as a commentator and public figure will depend on the success of her treatments, but the anticipation and support continue to grow around her. The world of tennis, and beyond, is eagerly awaiting another victory from a true champion – this time, in the most important match of her life.
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