Martina Navratilova recently revealed that Chris Evert received another cancer diagnosis while filming the Netflix documentary series, ‘Chris & Martina: The Final Set.’ The documentary was released globally on June 26, 2026.
The documentary follows Navratilova’s and Evert’s journey from one of tennis’ greatest rivalries to a close friendship. It revisits their 80 career head-to-head matches played over 15 years, including 14 Grand Slam finals, while also focusing on their separate battles with cancer.
Navratilova was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010. After recovering, she was diagnosed again in November 2022 and was declared cancer-free in July 2023 following treatment. Evert was first diagnosed with ovarian cancer in December 2021 and experienced a recurrence in 2023. After recovering, she was diagnosed with the disease for a third time in 2026.
Speaking to the Tennis Channel, Navratilova revealed that Evert received a diagnosis during the filming of the documentary. Stating how it made the series more ‘raw’ and made them more ‘vulnerable,’ she said:
“We started with a different director who then kind of quit so that was delayed a little bit. And then of course Chris was diagnosed again. So she was going through the actual treatment during the filming of the documentary which made it that much more raw and true and honest but it was an interesting process. I think I didn’t realize how vulnerable we would both be and look but we weren’t thinking about it. We just wanted to bring kind of reality to our relationship and bring it out in the open.”
She added:
“And and then most of all it was about friendship that you can be friends with your enemy or biggest adversary and women can do that because you know that we have a reputation of being too catty and can’t be friendly and then also it was about raising awareness about cancer genetic testing getting the yearly checkup etc. So it kind of spanned a lot of topics but we felt we had something to say.”
Martina Navratilova penned a sweet message for Chris Evert after her third cancer diagnosis
On June 25, Chris Evert announced that her ovarian cancer had returned for a third time in a post on Instagram. She revealed that CT and PET scans confirmed the recurrence and shared that she will be starting chemotherapy. Evert also said she would be stepping back from her professional commitments to focus on her health.
Following the announcement, Martina Navratilova shared a heartfelt message for her friend on Instagram. Alongside a photo of the two, she penned a note in the caption that read:
“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.”
In their 80 official matches between 1973 and 1988, Martina Navratilova won the overall head-to-head rivalry with a 43-37 record.
Also read:
Chris Evert Celebrates Martina Navratilova’s Wimbledon Achievements After Novak Djokovic Controversy
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