- Chris Evert revealed last week that her ovarian cancer had returned
- The 18-time major winner was first diagnosed in December 2021
- Evert will not broadcast for ESPN at the Australian Open
Novak Djokovic has sent a message of support to Chris Evert after the tennis great was diagnosed with cancer for the second time in two years.
The 68-year-old, who won 18 Grand Slam singles tournaments, announced last week that her ovarian cancer had returned, adding that she will not broadcast for ESPN at the upcoming Australian Open while undergoing treatment.
“Sending prayers and strength to Chris Evert,” Djokovic posted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
Evert was first diagnosed with BRCA-related stage 1 ovarian cancer in December 2021.
She completed chemotherapy in May of the following year and told the public that her doctor was confident the disease would not return because it was caught early.
Novak Djokovic shared his support for Chris Evert after she was diagnosed with cancer
The tennis great announced last week that her ovarian cancer had returned, two years after she was first diagnosed in December 2021
“While this is a diagnosis I never wanted to hear, I am once again fortunate that it was caught early,” Evert said in a statement released via ESPN.
'Doctors found cancer cells in the same pelvic area. All cells have been removed and I have started a new round of chemotherapy.
“I will not be able to join my colleagues when ESPN returns to Melbourne for the Australian Open next month. But I'm ready for the rest of the Grand Slam season!
“I encourage everyone to know your family history and stand up for yourself. Early detection saves lives. Be thankful for your health this holiday season.”
She previously announced her first cancer diagnosis in January 2022, insisting at the time that she was optimistic about the “challenges” that lay ahead.
'I have led a very charmed life. Now I have some challenges ahead of me,” the six-time US Open winner said at the time.
'But I take comfort in knowing that the chemotherapy should ensure that the cancer does not come back.'
Her sister, Jeanne Evert Dubin, died of ovarian cancer in February 2020 at the age of 62.
Evert was diagnosed with a BRCA-1 variant of ovarian cancer in November 2021
Evert's sister Jeanne died of the same variant of the cancer that was discovered too late
“Be your own advocate. Know your family's history. Be fully aware of your body, follow your feelings and be aware of changes,” Evert said in 2022. “Don't try to be a crusader and think this will go away.”
She added that when her sister was first diagnosed, doctors had not recommended that she or her siblings get tested.
“Jeanne was not BRCA positive, but genetic testing showed she had a BRCA-1 variant of 'uncertain significance,'” she said.
'Then last November I got a call that they had reclassified her BRCA variant – the meaning was no longer uncertain, it was now very clearly pathogenic and we needed to be tested.'