"I viewed it as a challenge" – Chris Evert opens up about cancer battle
Tennis News
Chris Evert is one of the greatest players to ever step on a tennis court. The American dominated the sport from the early to late 1970s, leaving behind a legacy that few can match.
After being diagnosed with cancer, the tennis legend spoke to We Are Tennis about her journey, her fight, and the mindset that helped her through it.
A legendary career
Tennis was always in Evert’s blood, as her father was a tennis coach. She started playing at a young age, and at just 15 years old, she made headlines by defeating Margaret Court.
In 1971, she became the youngest player to reach the US Championships semi-finals and achieved the same feat in her first Wimbledon tournament a year later.
Evert turned professional in December 1972, and by 1974, she had completed an incredible 56-match winning streak. Over the course of her career, she won 18 Grand Slam titles, with the French Open being her most successful major. She remains an inspiration to tennis fans worldwide, solidifying her status as one of the greatest to ever play the sport.
Her cancer battle
In 2022, Evert was diagnosed with stage 1C ovarian cancer, but early detection played a crucial role in her successful treatment. She reflected on her mindset during the battle.
"I don't know. If somebody came to me and said I was going to die tomorrow, I don't know how I'd react. Still, I think I viewed it as a challenge, and I viewed it also as being humble about it and thinking, well, why not me?" she said.
She also spoke about her perspective on cancer and how widespread it is.
"I mean, half the world has cancer, or half the world will get cancer, or so many women like me, especially when they get to my age, whether it's breast cancer or any kind of cancer, it's pretty probable that you're going to get it. So, my reaction was, okay, well, you know, so I'm just like everybody else."
Evert credited her experience as a professional athlete with helping her stay strong during treatment.
"Well, I mean, I think just being a top professional athlete, you have to have thick skin anyway, and you have to have a backbone, and you have to be used to ups and downs and, you know, bad losses and good losses. I think that has helped me tremendously in this fight. I think it's the competition, and being a professional athlete has helped me."
Chris Evert, known for her fierce competitive spirit, has inspired generations both on and off the court.
Chris Evert, a tennis icon from Florida, won 18 Grand Slam titles with her signature baseline play. 🎾✨ She held the No. 1 ranking for years and later became a commentator and philanthropist, founding Chris Evert Charities.#FEMFLUENT #ChrisEvert #TennisLegend pic.twitter.com/OofwDlNcM6
— Femfluent Magazine (@FemfluentMag) December 28, 2024
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