Tennis legend Chris Evert announced she learned her ovarian cancer has returned after CT and PET scans, prompting her to cancel this year’s Wimbledon appearance and step back from professional commitments to focus on treatment.
Chris Evert didn’t wait for a dramatic announcement from a press conference. On Thursday, she turned to her social media followers with a message that landed hard—and urgently—on the personal side of her life.
The 71-year-old tennis legend revealed that her ovarian cancer has returned. “This past weekend, after undergoing CT and PET scans, I learned that my ovarian cancer has returned,” she wrote. She said she has “already undergone surgery as the first step” and plans to begin chemo “in the coming weeks.”.
The news also forced a change in her public plans. “Because of this, I will not be attending Wimbledon this year,” she wrote, adding that she will “step back from my professional commitments over the next few months to focus on my health.”
In the same post, Evert struck a note of steadiness even as she acknowledged the fight ahead. “Ovarian cancer is relentless, but I will stay optimistic and determined in continuing to fight this battle,” she said. She ended with gratitude for the people who have shown up around her: “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.”.
Her message comes with a history that has already shaped the last several years of her life. She first revealed ovarian cancer in 2021. By 2023, she said her treatments were successful, and in January she announced she was cancer free. By December of that same year. however. her cancer had come back—an ordeal she beat again—before this new return.
For context around how often this happens, the post also points readers toward a statistic shared by My Ovarian Cancer Team: “Over 70% of patients with ovarian cancer will experience their cancer coming back.”
For now, Wimbledon will remain part of the tournament calendar without Evert in the stands, while her focus shifts to treatment in the weeks ahead. The final line of her message—looking forward to seeing everyone again soon—reads like a promise she’s holding onto tightly as she prepares for chemo.
Chris Evert ovarian cancer returns Wimbledon CT scan PET scan chemo tennis legend
Wishing her the best but why do they keep saying “relentless” like that’s helpful?
CT and PET scans?? That sounds like they just found it again because she was still traveling to events or something. Idk, people always say “chemo in coming weeks” like it’s a schedule.
I heard she was “cancer free” in January and now it’s back?? That’s gotta be devastating. Also Wimbledon not happening is wild like the tournament just shrugs and moves on.
Not trying to be morbid but the “over 70% will experience it coming back” stat is crazy. Makes me think everyone who beats it should just live at the doctor forever. Like is that why she cancelled? because the chemo didn’t work the first time? (I know that’s probably wrong but still.)