Early Detection Gives Hope
Tennis icon Chris Evert, who announced being “cancer-free” just two years ago, shared the heartbreaking news that her cancer has returned. In a statement released through ESPN, Evert expressed gratitude for the early diagnosis. Although doctors found cancer cells in the same pelvic region, they were able to remove them all during a recent surgery. Evert has now embarked on another round of chemotherapy.
Former Champion Forced to Step Back
The 68-year-old, who claimed an impressive 18 Grand Slam titles and held the position of No. 1 in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) rankings, will unfortunately be absent from the upcoming Australian Open. Evert, an ESPN analyst since 2011, stated that she will not be able to join her colleagues for the event in January. However, she remains hopeful and determined to return to the tennis scene for the rest of the Grand Slam season.
A Personal Journey
This is not Evert’s first encounter with cancer. She tragically lost her sister, Jeanne Evert Dubin, to ovarian cancer in February 2020. After successfully overcoming her own battle with the disease, Evert had previously stated that there was a “90% chance that the ovarian cancer will never come back.” Evert’s journey has made her an advocate for early detection and self-advocacy, emphasizing the importance of knowing one’s family history. She urged others to be thankful for their health during this holiday season.
Fox News’ Ryan Gaydos contributed to this report.