Chris Evert, the 18-time Grand Slam singles champion and a familiar voice in tennis broadcasting, said on Thursday that her ovarian cancer has returned and that she will miss Wimbledon this summer while she undergoes treatment.
Her announcement
In a statement reported by ESPN, where she works as an analyst, Evert, 71, said she has already had surgery as "the first step in my treatment and recovery" and will begin chemotherapy "in the coming weeks." As a result, she said, "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." Wimbledon runs from June 29 to July 12.
A history bound up in family
Evert's connection to the disease is deeply personal. Her younger sister, Jeanne Evert Dubin, also a professional tennis player, died of ovarian cancer in 2020. Afterward, testing revealed a BRCA genetic mutation linked to higher ovarian and breast cancer risk, prompting genetic screening across the family, PBS NewsHour reported. When Evert tested positive, she had preventive surgery in December 2021 — and pathology revealed an early-stage ovarian cancer that had not yet been detected.
She was treated and declared cancer-free, disclosed a recurrence in late 2023, and announced she was clear again in 2024. This latest announcement marks a further return of the disease. Since her first diagnosis, Evert has been a prominent advocate for genetic testing and ovarian cancer awareness, often crediting her sister's death with leading to her own early detection.
Her words, and the response
Evert struck a determined tone. "Ovarian cancer is relentless," she said, "but I will stay optimistic and determined in continuing to fight this battle," thanking her medical team, family and supporters. ESPN, in its report, conveyed the network's support and said it looked forward to welcoming her back whenever she is ready.
A voice the grass-court major will miss
One of the most decorated players in the sport's history — with titles including seven French Opens, six US Opens, three Wimbledons and two Australian Opens — Evert has spent the decades since her 1989 retirement as an incisive, widely respected commentator. Her absence will be felt at the All England Club, where she won three of her major titles and where her analysis has long been a fixture. She has asked for privacy as she focuses on treatment and has not given a timeline for a return to the booth.
