Chris Evert Will Miss Wimbledon After Ovarian Cancer Return

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Chris Evert has a major health update.

The women’s tennis champion shared that her ovarian cancer has returned, causing her to cancel her trip to Wimbledon.

“I have always believed in being open and honest about my health journey,” Evert shared in an X post on June 25. “This past weekend, after undergoing CT and PET scans, I learned that my ovarian cancer has returned. I have already undergone surgery as the first step in my treatment and recovery, and will begin chemotherapy in the coming weeks.”

In addition to her usual gig as a commentator at Wimbledon, the 71-year-old was set to appear at the London-based tournament for the release of her new Netflix documentary Chris & Martina: The Final Set, which details her friendship with her former rival Martina Navratilova from their time on the court to their respective cancer battles.

Now, Evert is taking a break to focus on her health.

“I will not be attending Wimbledon this year,” she continued, “and I will step back from my professional commitments over the next few months to focus on my health.”

The Hall of Famer was first diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2022, nearly two years after her younger sister Jeanne Evert Dubin died of the same disease. Following her sibling’s death, Evert had undergone a preventative hysterectomy after discovering she carried the BRCA gene mutation that increases risk of breast and ovarian cancer.

At the time, the 18-time grand slam champion had shared some words of wisdom as she began cancer treatments for the first time.

“Be your own advocate,” she wrote in ESPN in January 2022. “Know your family's history. Have total awareness of your body, follow your gut and be aware of changes. Don't try to be a crusader and think this will pass."

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While she went into remission later that year, doctors found another cancerous mass in 2023, prompting another round of treatments. In 2024, Evert shared that she was cancer-free. And although this latest recurrence is nerve-wracking, she is feeling hopeful.

“Ovarian cancer is relentless, but I will stay optimistic and determined in continuing to fight this battle,” she concluded in her X post. “I am deeply grateful to my medical team, my family, friends, and everyone who has reached out with kindness and encouragement.”

Read on to learn about more celebrities who have opened up about their cancer battles…

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