A year after declaring she was cancer free a year ago, Chris Evert’s cancer has returned and she is once again undergoing treatment.
“I encourage everyone to know your family history and advocate for yourself. Early detection saves lives. Be thankful for your health this holiday season. Chris Evert
Evert, who turns 69 on 21 December, was initially diagnosed with Stage 1 ovarian cancer in December 2021, which she confirmed in January last year.
Nearly two years later, Evert was found to have had an early form of the disease after a preventive hysterectomy.
Evert underwent six cycles of chemotherapy, bonding along her journey with friend and former rival Martina Navratilova, who in December 2022 received her own diagnoses of early-stage cancers in her throat and breast. In March, Navratilova announced that she was cancer free after her treatment.
An 18-time Grand Slam champion, Evert released a statement confirming she will not be making the trip to Melbourne next month to cover the Australian Open for ESPN.
“Since I was first diagnosed with cancer two years ago, I’ve been very open about my experience,” Evert said on Friday in a statement posted by ESPN on X (Formerly Twitter).
“I wanted to give all of you an update. My cancer is back. While this is a diagnosis I never wanted to hear, I once again feel fortunate that it was caught early.
“Based on a PET CT scan, I underwent another robotic surgery this past week. Doctors found cancer cells in the same pelvic region. All cells were removed, and I have begun another round of chemotherapy.
“I will be unable to join my colleagues when ESPN makes its return to Melbourne for the Australian Open next month. But I’II be ready for the rest of the Grand Slam season!
“I encourage everyone to know your family history and advocate for yourself. Early detection saves lives. Be thankful for your health this holiday season.”
Evert’s younger sister Jeanne, who was also a professional tennis player, died in February 2020 at 62 years old after a 2½-year struggle with ovarian cancer.
Rising to World No 1 in the WTA rankings, Evert was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1995 after retiring in 1989 from a playing career spanning nearly 20 years.
The American was ranked first or second in the world from 1975 to 1986, and became the first player of any gender to win 1,000 singles matches.
Both Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert declared themselves cancer-free earlier this year
© Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
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