What Happened to Christine Marie Evert?
Chris Evert, an 18-time Grand Slam tennis champion and former world No. 1, continues to be a prominent figure in tennis as an ESPN analyst and philanthropist. As of June 25, 2026, Evert announced that her ovarian cancer has returned, leading her to step back from professional commitments, including Wimbledon commentary, to undergo surgery and chemotherapy. This marks her third public battle with the disease since her initial diagnosis in late 2021.
Quick Answer
As of June 25, 2026, tennis legend Chris Evert, 71, announced that her ovarian cancer has returned for a third time. She has undergone surgery and will begin chemotherapy, necessitating a temporary withdrawal from her ESPN commentary duties at Wimbledon and other professional commitments to focus on her health. Evert, who carries the BRCA gene mutation, has been open about her health journey since her initial diagnosis in December 2021, and a new Netflix documentary about her rivalry with Martina Navratilova and their cancer battles is set to be released on June 26, 2026.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline14 events
Born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Christine Marie Evert was born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, into a Catholic family with a strong tennis background, as her father was a professional tennis coach.
US Open Semifinalist at 16
At just 16 years old, Evert burst onto the national tennis scene by reaching the semifinals of the US Open in her first Grand Slam event.
Wins First Grand Slam Title (French Open)
Evert secured her first Grand Slam singles title at the French Open, marking the beginning of her dominance in women's tennis. She also won Wimbledon that year.
Achieves World No. 1 Ranking
Chris Evert officially became the world No. 1 in women's singles, a position she would hold for a total of 260 weeks throughout her career.
Retires from Professional Tennis
Evert retired from the professional tour after the US Open, concluding a career that included 18 Grand Slam singles titles and 157 overall singles titles.
Inducted into International Tennis Hall of Fame
Chris Evert was unanimously elected into the International Tennis Hall of Fame, recognizing her unparalleled achievements and contributions to the sport.
Joins ESPN as Tennis Analyst
Evert began her role as a tennis analyst for ESPN, providing expert commentary and analysis for major tournaments, including all four Grand Slams.
Sister Jeanne Dies from Ovarian Cancer
Chris Evert's younger sister, Jeanne Evert Dubin, passed away from ovarian cancer, which later prompted Chris to undergo genetic testing.
First Ovarian Cancer Diagnosis
Following a preventive hysterectomy due to carrying the BRCA gene mutation, Evert was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
Announces Cancer-Free Status
After undergoing treatment, Chris Evert announced that she was cancer-free.
Cancer Recurrence Announced
Evert revealed that her ovarian cancer had returned, marking her second battle with the disease.
Declares Cancer-Free Again
After further treatment, Chris Evert announced that she was once again cancer-free.
Ovarian Cancer Returns; Steps Back from Commitments
Chris Evert announced that her ovarian cancer has returned for a third time. She has undergone surgery and will begin chemotherapy, leading her to step back from her ESPN commentary duties at Wimbledon and other professional commitments.
Netflix Documentary 'Chris & Martina: The Final Set' Released
A new Netflix documentary, 'Chris & Martina: The Final Set,' chronicling the rivalry and cancer battles of Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova, is set to be released.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Chris Evert, born December 21, 1954, established herself as one of the greatest tennis players of all time, dominating the sport from the mid-1970s to the mid-1980s. Known for her consistent baseline game and steely demeanor, she earned the nickname 'Ice Maiden.' Evert captured 18 Grand Slam singles titles, including a record seven French Opens and a joint-record six US Opens, and held the world No. 1 ranking for 260 weeks. She retired in 1989 with an impressive 157 singles titles and a career winning percentage of 89.97% (1309–146), one of the highest in the Open Era.
Following her illustrious playing career, Evert transitioned into a successful role as a tennis analyst, primarily for ESPN, where she has provided commentary for all four Grand Slam events. Beyond broadcasting, she has remained deeply involved in tennis through the Evert Tennis Academy, which she co-founded, and through philanthropic efforts with Chris Evert Charities, Inc., raising millions to combat substance abuse and assist children. She also served as president of the WTA Players Association for a record nine terms.
A significant turning point in Evert's recent life has been her ongoing battle with ovarian cancer. Her sister, Jeanne Evert Dubin, died from ovarian cancer in 2020, which prompted Chris to undergo genetic testing, revealing she carried the BRCA gene mutation. Evert was first diagnosed with ovarian cancer in December 2021 after a preventive hysterectomy. She announced she was cancer-free in January 2023, but the disease recurred in December 2023. She again announced she was cancer-free in July 2024.
However, on June 25, 2026, Evert publicly shared a heartbreaking update: her ovarian cancer has returned. After undergoing recent CT and PET scans, she learned of the recurrence and has already had surgery as the first step in her treatment. She is scheduled to begin chemotherapy in the coming weeks. Consequently, Evert announced she would be stepping back from her professional commitments for several months, including her planned commentary role at Wimbledon, to focus entirely on her health and recovery.
Despite the challenges, Evert has maintained an optimistic and determined public stance, expressing gratitude for her medical team, family, and supporters. Her journey has also been highlighted in a new Netflix documentary, 'Chris & Martina: The Final Set,' which explores her legendary rivalry with Martina Navratilova and their shared experiences with cancer, set to be released on June 26, 2026. This documentary provides a raw glimpse into the personal battles faced by these two tennis icons.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Christine Marie Evert made different choices?