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Wimbledon will be without one of its most recognizable voices when the Grand Slam tournament begins on June 29.
Chris Evert, an 18-time Grand Slam champion and longtime Boca Raton resident, announced via social media that she will not be part of ESPN’s Wimbledon coverage this year after her ovarian cancer returned.

Evert was previously diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2022 and 2023, achieving remission both times. She said recent scans revealed a recurrence and she has already undergone surgery as the first step in her treatment. The Fort Lauderdale native said she will begin chemotherapy in the coming weeks.
“Ovarian cancer is relentless, but I will stay optimistic and determined in continuing to fight this battle,” Evert said. “I am deeply grateful to my medical team, my family, friends, and everyone who has reached out with kindness and encouragement. I look forward to seeing everyone again soon.”

Tennis legend Chris Evert attends an interview with Reuters in New York City, U.S., June 10, 2026. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz
South Florida Legend: Chris Evert has court dedicated in her name at refurbished Holiday Park

A South Florida sports icon, Evert graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas in Broward County and went on to win 157 career singles titles and 18 Grand Slam singles titles before retiring in 1989. Over the last 15 years, she has been one of ESPN’s top tennis analysts.
Evert will be the focus of an upcoming Netflix documentary series titles “Chris & Martina: The Final Set,” which examines the tennis stars’ careers and trials with cancer. The documentary will debut on June 26.
In December, Fort Lauderdale honored Evert by renaming the main court at its Holiday Park tennis facility as the “Chris Evert Stadium Court.”
Eric J. Wallace is deputy sports editor for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at ejwallace@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Chris Evert to miss Wimbledon after ovarian cancer returns
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