Tennis legend Chris Evert reveals shock cancer diagnosis, will miss Aus Open

A tennis legend has revealed her shock cancer diagnosis that will see her miss out on covering the 2023 Australian Open in January.

Chris Evert reveals shock cancer diagnosis. (Photo by CHRISTOPHE ARCHAMBAULT / AFP)

Tennis legend Chris Evert has revealed that for the second time in two years she has been diagnosed with cancer.

Evert said her ovarian cancer had returned, and she will have to pull out of coverage of the Australian Open, The Sun reports.

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Evert, 68, revealed that she is tackling the diagnosis with optimism.

She said, via ESPN: “While this is a diagnosis I never wanted to hear, I once again feel fortunate that it was caught early.

“Doctors found cancer cells in the same pelvic region. All cells were removed, and I have begun another round of chemotherapy.”

Evert alongside Ash Barty after the 2019 French Open. (Photo by CHRISTOPHE ARCHAMBAULT / AFP)

Evert was first diagnosed with ovarian cancer in December of 2021.

She completed chemotherapy in May of 2022, telling the public that her doctor was confident that the disease would not return because it was caught early.

Her 18 Grand Slam titles make her the joint fifth most successful female tennis player of all time in terms of winning majors.

She was due to commentate on the Australian Open, which starts next month but will now take time out to undergo chemotherapy.

She revealed though that she will not be out for too long.

She added: “I’ll be ready for the rest of the Grand Slam season!”

Evert in the middle of Iga Swiatek (L) and Karolina Muchova at the 2023 French Open. (Photo by JULIEN DE ROSA / AFP)

Evert faced her last diagnosis with the same characteristic optimism, and said at the time in January 2022: “I’ve lived a very charmed life. Now I have some challenges ahead of me. But I have comfort in knowing the chemotherapy is to ensure that cancer does not come back.”

Evert’s sister, Jeanne Evert Dubin tragically died of ovarian cancer in February 2020 at the age of 62.

On the importance of getting tested for the disease, Chris Evert said: “Be your own advocate. Know your family’s history. Have total awareness of your body, follow your gut and be aware of changes.

“Don’t try to be a crusader and think this will pass.”

This article originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission.