Chris Evert Says Her Ovarian Cancer Has Returned, Tennis Icon Will Not Attend Wimbledon

Tennis legend Chris Evert announced Thursday she will not be part of Wimbledon coverage this year after her ovarian cancer returned.

"I have already undergone surgery as the first step in my treatment and recovery, and will begin chemotherapy in the coming weeks," she wrote on Thursday. "Because of this, 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.

"Ovarian cancer is relentless, but I will stay optimistic and determined in continuing to fight this battle."

On Tuesday, Matthew Futterman of The Athletic reported Evert was scheduled to be in London for the release of the new Netflix documentary Chris & Martina: The Final Set. However, she stayed in Florida to undergo exploratory surgery.

"Unexpectedly, a recent, routine CT scan was abnormal, suggesting the ovarian cancer may be back. Surgery is recommended for further treatment," she said prior to Thursday's announcement.

Eileen Finan of People noted Evert was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2021 and learned it returned in 2023.

Before becoming an analyst, Evert was a generational tennis player who won 154 singles titles. 

"Armed with a two-handed backhand that revolutionized the sport, Chris Evert's career might be summed up by a single, staggering statistic: a 90.09% winning percentage, the highest in professional tennis history," her WTA profile reads.

Among her most notable accomplishments are her 18 Grand Slam singles titles: three at Wimbledon, seven at Roland Garros, six at the U.S. Open and two at the Australian Open.

She won at least one Grand Slam title every year from 1974 through 1986.

Evert has remained a prominent figure in the game by providing analysis and coverage for ESPN in recent years.