Tennis Hall of Famer Chris Evert announced Thursday that her ovarian cancer has returned for the third time, requiring surgery and upcoming chemotherapy that will keep her away from Wimbledon and her broadcast commitments for the foreseeable future.
Evert, 71, made the announcement publicly on social media, describing a situation she approached with the same directness and resilience that defined her playing career. She said she had already undergone surgery as a first step in her treatment and recovery following tests that confirmed the cancer’s return, and that chemotherapy was planned to begin within the coming weeks.
A battle that has continued for several years
Evert’s relationship with ovarian cancer dates to December 2021, when she first disclosed her diagnosis. She completed treatment and returned to her life and work, but in December 2023 she revealed the disease had come back. This week’s announcement marks the third recurrence, representing a medical journey that has been ongoing for more than four years and has required repeated rounds of significant treatment.
She was measured but clear in addressing what her condition means for her immediate plans. Wimbledon, where she has spent decades as one of the sport’s most respected broadcast voices and where she spent her playing career establishing herself as one of the greatest competitors the game has ever produced, will proceed this year without her presence. She also said she would step away from her broader professional commitments over the coming months to concentrate on her health.
Her words about the disease itself reflected the posture of someone who has faced this situation before and found a way to sustain hope without minimizing the difficulty. She described ovarian cancer as relentless and said she intended to remain optimistic and determined in continuing to fight it. She expressed gratitude for the support of her medical team, her family, and the broader community that has followed her health journey with care and encouragement.
A career that made her an icon
Evert won 18 Grand Slam singles titles over the course of a career that defined women’s tennis through the 1970s and into the 1980s. She and her great rival from that era played some of the most celebrated matches in the history of the sport, creating a competitive dynamic that elevated the game’s profile globally and drew a generation of fans to the sport.
Since retiring from professional competition, Evert has remained central to tennis through her work as an analyst and commentator. She brought the same precision and intelligence to her broadcast work that characterized her playing, and her voice became a fixture at major tournaments including the one she will miss this month. Her absence from the commentary box at Wimbledon will be genuinely felt.
The sport responds
Her employer acknowledged the news with warmth and expressed a commitment to welcoming her back whenever she is ready to return. The statement reflected the regard in which she is held not just as a professional voice but as someone whose presence has contributed to how the sport is experienced by its audience.
The tennis community, which has watched Evert navigate this illness with remarkable openness over several years, responded with an immediate outpouring of support. She has used her platform throughout her treatment to raise awareness about ovarian cancer, a disease that is often detected late and carries significant mortality risk. Her willingness to speak publicly about her diagnosis and treatment has given the disease a face and a story that has reached well beyond the tennis world.
Evert said she looked forward to seeing everyone again soon.
