Tennis legend Chris Evert shared difficult news Thursday on social media, revealing that her ovarian cancer has come back and that she will not be able to serve as a commentator at the 2026 Wimbledon Championships for ESPN.
Wimbledon is set to get underway in London next week.
“I have already undergone surgery as the first step in my treatment and recovery, and will begin chemotherapy in the coming weeks,” Evert wrote in a post on X. “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.”
Evert, 71, was first diagnosed with ovarian cancer back in December 2021 — nearly two years after losing her sister Jeanne to the same disease. She then disclosed in 2023 that the cancer had returned a second time, only to defeat it once again.
She said CT and PET scans taken this past weekend revealed that the cancer had come back yet again.
“Ovarian cancer is relentless, but I will stay optimistic and determined in continuing to fight this battle,” Evert wrote. “I am deeply grateful to my medical team, my family, friends and everyone who has reached out with kindness and encouragement. I look forward to seeing everyone again soon.”
ESPN executive vice president of production Mike McQuade released a statement in response to the news.
“Our thoughts are with our ESPN tennis colleague Chris Evert as she deals with this personal health issue. We will certainly miss her at Wimbledon and wish her all the best. We look forward to having her back with us whenever she feels ready to return,” McQuade said.
Throughout her remarkable career, Evert won 18 Grand Slam singles titles — two at the Australian Open, seven at the French Open, three at Wimbledon, and six at the U.S. Open. She also claimed three major doubles titles and was part of eight Fed Cup championship teams representing the United States.
Evert’s professional career spanned from 1972 to 1989, and she was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1995.
