Chris Evert, Tennis Legend, Faces Cancer Diagnosis Once Again
Tennis icon and ESPN analyst, Chris Evert, reveals her recent cancer re-diagnosis, unfortunately ruling her out of the 2024 Australian Open coverage
Chris Evert, the famed tennis player and ESPN analyst, has revealed that she has been re-diagnosed with cancer and will not be able to participate in the network's coverage of the 2024 Australian Open. "Since my initial cancer diagnosis two years ago, I have been transparent about my journey. I wanted to provide you all with an update. Unfortunately, my cancer has returned," Evert stated in a release on Friday.
Tennis legend Evert, who has 18 grand slam singles titles and three grand slam doubles titles to her name, announced in January 2022 that she had been diagnosed with stage 1 ovarian cancer. Recently, the former world No. 1 shared that she had completed her treatment after her sixth and final chemotherapy session in May 2022.
"I never wanted to receive this diagnosis, but I am grateful that it was caught early. Following a PET CT scan, I had another robotic surgery last week, where doctors discovered cancer cells in the same pelvic region. All the cells have been removed, and I have started another round of chemotherapy," Evert stated.
"I will miss the opportunity to join my colleagues in Melbourne for the Australian Open next month. However, I am looking forward to being fully prepared for the rest of the Grand Slam season! I urge everyone to understand their family history and be their own advocate. Early detection can make a difference in saving lives. Let's all be grateful for our health this holiday season."
Chris Evert won 157 singles titles.
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Evert's younger sister, Jeanne Evert Dubin, who was a former professional tennis player, passed away from ovarian cancer in 2020 at 62 years old. Born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida in 1954, Evert went on to become one of the greatest players in the history of the sport. She holds the record for winning seven French Open titles and six US Open titles. Additionally, she was the first player to achieve 1,000 singles wins and the first female athlete to earn $1 million in career prize money.
At the age of 15, she achieved a remarkable victory by defeating the top-ranked player Margaret Court in a tournament in Charlotte, North Carolina. In 1989, she made history as the first female athlete to host "Saturday Night Live", the same year she retired from the sport. Six years later, Evert was honored as the fourth player to be unanimously elected to the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
Evert has won a total of 157 singles titles and held the year-end world No. 1 ranking for seven consecutive years, from 1974 to 1978 and then again in 1980 and 1981. In 2011, she transitioned into a commentator and analyst role for ESPN, where she continues to work today. Evert is the mother of three sons: Colton, Nicholas, and Alexander.
CNNs Christina Maxouris contributed reporting.
