Tennis world rallies around Chris Evert as legend misses Wimbledon after awful diagnosis

The tennis community is sending well-wishes and support to Chris Evert after the American legend announced she won’t be at Wimbledon due to return of ovarian cancer. The 71-year-old was first diagnosed in 2021, and revealed on Thursday that the cancer has returned for the third time.

“I have always believed in being open and honest about my health journey," she wrote in a statement on social media. "This past weekend, after undergoing CT and PET scans, I learned that my ovarian cancer has returned. I have already undergone surgery as the first step in my treatment and recovery and will begin chemotherapy in the coming weeks."

Evert is an 18-time grand slam singles champion and popular analyst for ESPN. She usually works on Wimbledon’s TV coverage, but won’t be in attendance this year.

She wrote: "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.”

Tennis world wraps arms around Chris Evert

Evert missed the Australian Open in 2024 after the cancer's first recurrence in December of 2023. ESPN’s executive vice president of production Mike McQuade was among the many to rally around Evert and wish her well.

"Our thoughts are with our ESPN tennis colleague Chris Evert as she deals with this personal health issue," McQuade wrote in a statement. "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."

Evert's younger sister Jeanne, who was also a professional tennis player, died of ovarian cancer in 2020 at the age of 62. They both have the same BRCA-1 variant - a rare genetic mutation of the BRCA gene - which puts women at a higher risk of breast and ovarian cancers.

“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.”

Social media has been flooded with messages of support for Evert. A former World No.1, the American legend also won three grand slam doubles titles and helped the USA win the Fed Cup eight times.

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