Chris Evert starts fresh chemotherapy as ovarian cancer returns for third time

American tennis great Chris Evert has announced that her ovarian cancer has come back again, in what marks a third recurrence of the illness. The 71-year-old, who won 18 Grand Slam singles titles during her playing days, said she will suspend her professional obligations while she starts a new round of chemotherapy.

Medical staff reached the latest diagnosis after an exploratory procedure that followed an abnormal scan. Evert had been scheduled to appear at Wimbledon but will not travel to the London tournament as she concentrates on her care.

She was first found to have stage 1 BRCA-related ovarian cancer in 2021 and finished chemotherapy in 2022. Physicians declared her in remission in 2023, yet the disease came back later that same year and has now appeared once more.

Among the most accomplished competitors the sport has produced, Evert claimed seven French Open singles titles, six US Open crowns and three Wimbledon victories, and earned several doubles honours while partnering Martina Navratilova.