Former Wimbledon champion Chris Evert has revealed that her “relentless” ovarian cancer has returned for a third time.
The 71-year-old American, who was first diagnosed with ovarian cancer in December 2021, said she remains hopeful of making a full recovery.
Evert, a three-time Wimbledon singles champion and winner of 18 Grand Slam titles, has been a familiar face in tennis broadcasting since retiring in 1989, serving as a television analyst for the BBC and other major networks.
In a statement shared on Instagram, Evert said she learned of the recurrence following recent CT and PET scans.
“I have always believed in being open and honest about my health journey,” she wrote. “This past weekend, after undergoing CT and PET scans, I learned that my ovarian cancer has returned.”
She added that she has already undergone surgery as the first stage of her treatment and recovery and is expected to begin chemotherapy in the coming weeks.
As a result, Evert said she will miss this year’s Wimbledon Championships and step away from her professional commitments over the next several months to focus on her health.
“Ovarian cancer is relentless, but I will stay optimistic and determined in continuing to fight this battle,” she said.
Evert also expressed gratitude to her medical team, family, friends and supporters for their encouragement, adding: “I look forward to seeing everyone again soon.”
Widely regarded as one of the greatest players in tennis history, Evert won 18 Grand Slam singles titles during her illustrious career. In the Open Era, only Serena Williams (23) and Steffi Graf (22) have claimed more major singles championships in women’s tennis.
