Tennis Legend Shares Devastating Update
Sports
Tennis Legend Chris Evert Reveals Third Cancer Diagnosis
(Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Tribeca Festival)
Leena Nasir Entertainment Reporter June 25, 2026 2:59 PM ET June 25, 2026 2:59 PM ET Leena Nasir Entertainment Reporter Font Size:Tennis great Chris Evert revealed her ovarian cancer has returned in a devastating post shared Thursday on Instagram.
Evert began disclosing her third diagnosis by saying she has been committed to being honest and open about her health struggles. The tennis star previously beat the disease in 2021, and again in 2023, according to NBC News.
“I have always believed in being open and honest about my health journey. This past weekend, after undergoing CT and PET scans, I learned that my ovarian cancer has returned,” the 71-year-old wrote.
“I have already undergone surgery as the first step in my treatment and recovery, and will begin chemotherapy in the coming weeks.”
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The 18-time Grand Slam winner explained that she had to prioritize her well-being over tennis. She has worked as an analyst for ESPN.
“Because of this, I will not be attending Wimbledon this year, and I will step back from my professional commitments over the next few months to focus on my health,” she wrote.
NEW YORK – CIRCA 1974: Tennis player Chris Evert of the United States returns a shot during the women 1974 U.S. Open Tennis Tournament at the West Side Tennis Club in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
Evert addressed her diagnosis with a positive attitude and sheer determination, vowing to make a comeback.
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A post shared by Mount Pleasant Magazine (@mountpleasantmagazine)
“Ovarian cancer is relentless, but I will stay optimistic and determined in continuing to fight this battle,” she wrote.
The tennis pro took a moment to thank a number of people for their support, including her family, friends, and the medical personnel who have rallied around her and continue to provide care through her health journey. (RELATED: Paramedics Reportedly Rushed Lionel Richie To Hospital In After Mid-Concert Health Scare)
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Fans and loves ones flooded the comment section of her post with messages of love and encouragement, and many sent prayers for a full and speedy recovery.
ESPN executive vice president of production Mike McQuade addressed the news in a statement shared Thursday by the outlet. “Our thoughts are with our ESPN tennis colleague Chris Evert as she deals with this health issue,” he said. “We will certainly miss her at Wimbledon and wish her all the best. We look forward to having her back with us whenever she feels ready to return.”
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
