MIAMI — Tennis Hall of Famer Chris Evert said her ovarian cancer has returned for a third time and that she will miss this year's Wimbledon championships while undergoing treatment.
Evert, 71, announced the development Thursday on social media. She said doctors detected the recurrence following CT and PET scans over the past weekend. She has already undergone surgery as the initial step in her treatment and will begin chemotherapy in the coming weeks.
"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 said in the statement.
The 18-time Grand Slam singles champion was first diagnosed with ovarian cancer in December 2021. She announced a recurrence in December 2023 before declaring herself cancer-free again in 2024.
Evert, a three-time Wimbledon singles winner who now works as a commentator, described the disease as "relentless" but said she remains optimistic.
"I have always believed in being open and honest about my health journey," she said. "Ovarian cancer is relentless, but I will stay optimistic and determined in continuing to fight this battle."
The announcement comes days before Wimbledon 2026 begins in London. Evert has been a regular presence at the tournament in recent years both as a spectator and broadcaster.
Her health battle has drawn support from across the tennis world, including longtime rival and friend Martina Navratilova, who has also faced cancer. The pair's shared experiences are featured in the Netflix documentary "Chris & Martina: The Final Set," released this month.
Evert has been an advocate for ovarian cancer awareness, particularly following the death of her sister Jeanne from the disease in 2020. She has encouraged genetic testing and early detection.
In her statement, Evert thanked her doctors, family, friends and supporters. She said she looks forward to returning to public life soon.
No further details on her prognosis or treatment timeline were immediately available. Wimbledon organizers and the Women's Tennis Association had no immediate comment on her absence.
