Tennis legend Chris Evert to miss Wimbledon after cancer recurrence

Tennis great Chris Evert will miss this year’s Wimbledon Championships as she undergoes treatment following a recurrence of ovarian cancer.

In a statement posted on X on Thursday, the 18-time Grand Slam singles champion said she has already undergone surgery as the first step in her recovery and will begin chemotherapy in the coming weeks. Evert added that she will step away from her professional commitments over the next few months to focus on her health.

“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.

“Ovarian cancer is relentless, but I will stay optimistic and determined in continuing to fight this battle.”

The 71-year-old Hall of Famer was first diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2021. She announced a recurrence in 2023 before later saying she was cancer-free again in 2024.

Evert, who now works as a tennis commentator, is widely remembered for her storied rivalry and close friendship with fellow tennis icon Martina Navratilova. Their shared experiences, including their respective battles with cancer, will be featured in the upcoming Chris and Martina: The Final Set, set for release on June 26.

Wimbledon is scheduled to take place from June 29 to July 12 this year.

-Reporting by Karan Prashant Saxena in Bengaluru, editing by Pritha Sarkar/Reuters