In a somber announcement, former tennis superstar and ESPN analyst Chris Evert revealed on Friday that she will be absent from the network’s coverage of the Australian Open 2024 in January. This decision comes after Evert was diagnosed with cancer for the second time, just 11 months after she declared herself cancer-free from ovarian cancer, which she had battled since January 2022.
At 68 years old, Chris Evert, an 18-time Grand Slam singles champion and tennis icon, shared that she is currently undergoing chemotherapy. Despite this setback, she remains resilient, planning to return for ESPN’s coverage of the remaining Grand Slam tournaments.
“Since I was first diagnosed with cancer two years ago, I’ve been very open about my experience. I wanted to give all of you an update. My cancer is back,” expressed Evert in a statement released through ESPN.
Chris Evert: A Tennis Legend
Renowned for her illustrious tennis career, Chris Evert ranked first or second in the world from 1975 to 1986, becoming the first player, regardless of gender, to secure 1,000 singles victories. Her exceptional contributions to the sport earned her induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1995.
Tragically, Evert’s younger sister, Jeanne Evert Dubin, a former world-ranked tennis player, succumbed to ovarian cancer in February 2020 after a 2½-year battle with the disease. In January 2022, just two years later, Evert herself faced an early form of ovarian cancer after a preventive hysterectomy.
Despite undergoing six cycles of chemotherapy, Chris Evert returned triumphantly, sharing her journey and forming a supportive bond with friend and former rival Martina Navratilova, who also faced her own cancer diagnoses in December 2022 but declared herself cancer-free in March 2023.
In an ESPN essay in January, Chris Evert expressed optimism, stating she was “cancer-free, and there’s a 90% chance that the ovarian cancer will never come back.” However, the recent announcement reveals the unfortunate return of cancer cells in the same pelvic region, prompting Chris Evert to undergo another round of chemotherapy after a recent robotic surgery.
Chris Evert , expressing gratitude for the early detection of cancer cells, remarked, “While this is a diagnosis I never wanted to hear, I once again feel fortunate that it was caught early.” Despite missing the Australian Open, Evert assured fans she will be ready for the rest of the Grand Slam season.
In closing, she offered a heartfelt message, urging everyone to be aware of their family history and advocate for themselves. Evert emphasized, “Early detection saves lives. Be thankful for your health this holiday season.”
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