Tennis great Chris Evert says her cancer has returned and she will not work as a commentator at next month’s Australian Open while undergoing treatment.
Key points:
- Evert said cancerous cells have been removed from her pelvic region and she is undergoing chemotherapy
- The 68-year-old was first diagnosed with ovarian cancer in December 2021
- While she will miss the Australian Open, Evert said she will be “ready for the rest of the Grand Slam season”
Evert won 18 Grand Slam singles titles during her career, including two Australian Opens, and was the number one player in the world when the WTA rankings system was introduced in 1975.
“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”, Evert said in a statement released by her employer ESPN.
“While this is a diagnosis I never wanted to hear, I once again feel fortunate that it was caught early”, she said.
“Doctors found cancer cells in the same pelvic region. All cells were removed, and I have begun another round of chemotherapy.”
Evert, 68, was first diagnosed with ovarian cancer in December of 2021 following a preventative hysterectomy.
Evert, who won 157 singles titles — behind only Martina Navratilova with 167 tournament wins — was inducted into the international Hall of Fame in 1995.
She has worked as a pundit since retiring in 1989.
Evert’s sister, Jeanne Evert Dubin, died of ovarian cancer in 2020 aged 62.
The Australian Open begins at Melbourne Park on January 14.
“I’ll be ready for the rest of the Grand Slam season!” Evert said.
“I encourage everyone to know your family history and advocate for yourself. Early detection saves lives.”
ABC/wires