Tennis world rallies around Chris Evert amid awful development of ovarian cancer
The 18-time grand slam champion won't be travelling to the Melbourne Park grand slam in 2024.
Tennis fans and commentators are sending their well-wishes to Chris Evert after the American great revealed her cancer has returned. In a statement released by ESPN, the 18-time grand slam champion said she will undergo more chemotherapy and won’t be travelling to the Australian Open in January.
“While this is a diagnosis I never wanted to hear, I once again feel fortunate that it was caught early,” the 68-year-old said. “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.”
Evert revealed in January of 2022 that she’d been diagnosed with ovarian cancer – the same disease that younger sister Jeanie died of in 2020 at age 62. In January this year she announced that she was cancer free, but the disease has now returned.
Evert will not travel to the Australian Open in 2024 – which begins on January 14 – but said she would be “ready for the rest of the grand slam season”. Friend and former rival Martina Navratilova previously credited Evert for her support when she was diagnosed with throat and breast cancer in 2022.
“Since I was first diagnosed with cancer two years ago, I’ve been very open about my experience,” Evert said. “I encourage everyone to know your family history and advocate for yourself. Early detection saves lives. Be thankful for your health this holiday season.”
The American great was a trailblazing icon of the female game in the 1970s, winning a women’s record seven French Open singles titles. She also snared a joint-record six US Open titles, along with three Wimbledon titles and two at the Australian Open.
She won 157 WTA singles titles all up and reached at least the semi-finals in 52 of the 56 grand slam tournaments she played throughout her career. She played Navratilova 14 times at grand slam level in one if the sport’s great rivalries that stretched from 1973 until 1988.
Since her retirement, Evert has worked as a TV commentator and pundit. She has also worked in a mentoring role for young players on the WTA tour.
