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Chris Evert revealed her ovarian cancer has returned, and she will be stepping back from professional commitments to focus on treatment

Andre Agassi became emotional discussing Evert’s diagnosis, sharing his support during a live interview with CNN’s Wolf Blitzer

Fellow tennis icons Martina Navratilova and Billie Jean King shared heartfelt messages of encouragement for Evert’s recovery

Andre Agassi held back tears during a live interview on Friday, June 26, when discussing friend Chris Evert, who announced one day prior that her ovarian cancer had returned.
Speaking with CNN’s Wolf Blitzer, Agassi — an eight-time Grand Slam singles champion who has a decades-long friendship with Evert — was asked for his reaction following Thursday’s news that the 71-year-old tennis legend would step back from professional obligations and seek treatment for the disease.

“Wolf, I can’t do that, Wolf. I’m sorry, I know Chris, and my prayers and heart is with her,” Agassi, 56, said as tears welled in his eyes.

Andre Agassi and Chris Evert in 2024Credit: Joe Buglewicz/Getty for International Tennis Hall of Fame
The interview took place one day after Evert shared the news that she had been diagnosed with cancer for the third time.
“I have always believed in being open and honest about my health journey,” Evert began on Instagram. “This past weekend, after undergoing CT and PET scans, I learned that my ovarian cancer has returned.”
Evert added Thursday that she had “already undergone surgery as the first step in my treatment and recovery, and will begin chemotherapy in the coming weeks.”

“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,” Evert continued. “Ovarian cancer is relentless, but I will stay optimistic and determined in continuing to fight this battle.”
Related: Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova Were Tennis Rivals and Friends for 50 Years. Then They Had to Fight Cancer Together (Exclusive)
Evert was initially diagnosed with stage 1 ovarian cancer in 2021. Although she was in remission in early 2023, she announced in December of that year that the cancer came back.
The 18-time Grand Slam singles champion recently opened up to PEOPLE about sharing her cancer journey in the newly released Netflix documentary, Chris & Martina: The Final Set, which also features her longtime friend and fellow tennis icon, Martina Navratilova.

“It humbles you when you’ve had the highest of highs and then you get cancer. It just makes you feel like you’re just like everybody else, you know? I mean, hopefully we felt that way anyway, but it’s like this is a terrible disease that anybody can get,” Evert said.

Chris Evert on June 10, 2026Credit: Manny Carabel/WireImage
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Navratilova, 69, was among the many who offered well wishes to Evert after she revealed her diagnosis Thursday.
“My friend Chrissie is a champion of champions and as such she will slay this monster again. We are all pulling for you, and know you will come out on the other side cancer free again- lots of love, m,” she wrote on Instagram.

Tennis icon Billie Jean King also posted, “You are a champion and a fighter, and you will beat this. Sending love and prayers from both of us for a strong recovery.”
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