FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Tennis Hall of Famer Chris Evert has announced that she will not be part of ESPN’s coverage of the 2026 Wimbledon Championships after learning that her ovarian cancer has returned for a third time. The 71-year-old said she recently underwent surgery and will begin chemotherapy, shifting her focus from the broadcast booth to treatment and recovery. The announcement has prompted an outpouring of support from across the tennis world, where Evert remains one of the sport’s most influential figures.
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Evert disclosed that routine follow-up imaging led physicians to discover the recurrence. After additional testing confirmed the diagnosis, she underwent surgery and is now preparing to begin chemotherapy. While acknowledging the disappointment of missing one of tennis’s most celebrated tournaments, she said her priority is confronting the disease with the same determination that defined her playing career.
“Ovarian cancer is relentless, but so am I,” Evert said, expressing gratitude for the support of her medical team, family, and friends while reaffirming her resolve to continue treatment. She also thanked fans who have stood beside her throughout her previous battles with the disease.
The diagnosis marks another chapter in a health journey Evert has spoken about publicly in hopes of raising awareness of hereditary cancers. In 2021, she learned she carried the BRCA1 genetic mutation following the death of her younger sister, Jeanne, from ovarian cancer. Preventive surgery led doctors to detect cancer at an early stage, allowing treatment to begin before symptoms developed. Although she later announced she was cancer-free, the disease returned in 2023 and has now recurred once again. Her willingness to share her experience has drawn attention to the importance of genetic testing, early detection, and regular medical screening for individuals at elevated risk.
Long before becoming one of tennis’s most recognizable television analysts, Evert established herself as one of the greatest competitors in the history of the sport. During a professional career spanning nearly two decades, she won 18 Grand Slam singles titles and became renowned for her consistency, mental toughness, and dominance on clay courts. Her rivalries with players such as Martina Navratilova helped elevate women’s tennis to unprecedented global popularity and inspired generations of athletes.
Even after retiring from competition, Evert remained deeply involved in the game as a broadcaster, mentor, and advocate for youth tennis. Her insightful analysis and decades of experience have made her a familiar presence during Grand Slam broadcasts, particularly at Wimbledon, where she has become one of ESPN’s most respected commentators.
Following her announcement, tributes and messages of encouragement quickly spread throughout the tennis community. Fellow players, broadcasters, and fans praised Evert’s resilience while wishing her strength during treatment. ESPN also voiced its support, noting that her health and recovery remain the network’s foremost concern as she steps away from this year’s tournament coverage.
While Wimbledon will move forward without one of its most recognizable broadcasting voices, Evert has made clear that she intends to return when her health allows. For now, one of tennis’s most celebrated champions faces another difficult challenge—not on the court, but with the same resilience, composure, and determination that have defined her life for decades.
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