ESPN’s Chris Evert Reveals Ovarian Cancer Has Returned in New Health Update

Just one day ahead of the release of Chris Evert’s new Netflix documentary, Chris & Martina: The Final Set, the tennis legend shared a concerning health update with her fans.

“This past weekend, after undergoing CT and PET scans, I learned that my ovarian cancer has returned,” Evert, who now works as an analyst for ESPN, shared. “I have already undergone surgery as the first step in my treatment and recovery, and will begin chemotherapy in the coming weeks.”

Evert was set to attend Wimbledon this summer, but revealed she’s had to cancel those plans. “I will step back from my professional commitments over the next few months to focus on my health,” she explained. “Ovarian cancer is relentless, but I will stay optimistic and determined in continuing to fight this battle.”

She concluded, “I’m deeply grateful to my medical team, my family, my friends, and everyone who has reached out with kindness and encouragement. I look forward to seeing everyone soon.”

Evert’s sister died from ovarian cancer, and less than two years later, in 2021, after finding out she carried the BRCA gene, Evert underwent a preventive hysterectomy. A malignant tumor was discovered in her fallopian tube. She had surgery and underwent chemotherapy after receiving her Stage 1C ovarian cancer diagnosis.

By January 2023, Evert revealed she was cancer-free, but the disease returned later that year. She beat cancer again in 2024, but has been getting scans every three months, and the latest brought the news that she was hoping not to hear.

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Per The Athletic, Evert had her latest exploratory surgery on June 23. “Unexpectedly, a recent, routine CT scan was abnormal, suggesting the ovarian cancer may be back,” she shared at the time. “Surgery is recommended for further treatment.” She provided her social media update about undergoing chemo again after doctors gave her the results from that surgery.

Chris & Martina: The Final Set, Friday, June 26, Netflix