Chris Evert shares devastating health update

June 26, 2026 - 00:50

Tennis legend Chris Evert has revealed a heartbreaking health setback just as the Wimbledon season approaches. The 18-time Grand Slam champion, who had been actively promoting her Netflix documentary and preparing for her ESPN commentary role at the All England Club, quietly stepped away from public duties to address a serious medical issue.

Evert, now 69, first battled ovarian cancer in 2022 and underwent preventive surgery after a recurrence. In a recent interview, she disclosed that the cancer has returned once again. "It's devastating. I never thought I'd have to go through this a third time," Evert said, her voice heavy with emotion. She explained that the latest diagnosis came during a routine checkup, forcing her to cancel several planned appearances.

The tennis icon has been a fixture at Wimbledon for decades, both as a player and as a broadcaster. Her absence from the broadcast booth this year will be felt deeply by fans and colleagues alike. Evert emphasized that she is determined to fight, drawing strength from her family and the support of the tennis community. She plans to begin treatment immediately and hopes to return to public life once her health stabilizes.

Friends and former rivals have already reached out with messages of encouragement. Martina Navratilova, herself a cancer survivor, called Evert "one of the toughest people I know." The news has cast a somber tone over the start of the grass-court season, reminding everyone that even champions face battles far beyond the baseline.