Martina Navratilova delivered one of the most emotional moments of Wimbledon week as she fought back tears while speaking about Chris Evert’s latest health battle live on BBC coverage.
The tennis icon was appearing during the broadcaster’s coverage of the women’s semi-finals when host Clare Balding paused the sporting discussion to send love and support to Evert, who is currently facing another round of treatment after revealing that ovarian c@ncer had returned for a third time.
For many fans, the moment was deeply moving because Evert and Navratilova are not simply two names from tennis history. They are two of the greatest players the sport has ever produced, former rivals who pushed each other to legendary heights before building a lifelong friendship away from the court.
Asked how Evert was doing, Navratilova became visibly emotional. She explained that Chris had just started treatment and said she believed her friend would be OK, while admitting it was almost impossible to speak about the situation without becoming tearful.
The 18-time Grand Slam champion described Evert as tough, strong and full of champion spirit, saying she had spoken to her recently and had been struck by the courage in her voice.
Martina Navratilova (left, with Billie Jean King) was emotional as she gave an update on Chris Evert’s latest battle with cancer
Evert (left) and Navratilova enjoyed an iconic rivalry throughout their careers and later became lifelong friends
Billie Jean King, another towering figure in women’s tennis, was also in the studio and shared that she too had recently spoken with Evert. King said Evert remained brave and determined, stressing that the diagnosis was not being treated as a hopeless sentence by the former world number one.
Evert, now 71, confirmed shortly before Wimbledon that she had undergone surgery after learning the illness had returned. She said she would be stepping back from her professional commitments over the coming months in order to focus fully on her health and recovery.
The American was due to attend Wimbledon this year, but those plans were changed following the latest update. Her absence has been felt strongly across SW19, where her name remains woven into the history of the tournament.
Evert first revealed a BRCA-related ovarian c@ncer diagnosis in late 2021 and later completed chemotherapy in 2022. She announced in early 2023 that she was in remission, before confirming later that year that the illness had returned. Her newest update marks the third time she has faced the disease.
Despite the difficult news, Evert has repeatedly used her platform to encourage others to pay attention to family history, seek advice early and advocate for their own health. Her openness has made her not only a champion on court, but also a voice of strength for many watching from home.
Evert, pictured at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 10, announced later that month that her ovarian cancer has returned for a third time
The American, who won 18 Grand Slam titles, in action during the 1981 Wimbledon semi-finals
The emotional BBC exchange also reminded viewers of the extraordinary bond between Evert and Navratilova. During their playing days, they created one of the fiercest and most respected rivalries in tennis, meeting again and again on the biggest stages and shaping an era of women’s sport.
Both women won 18 Grand Slam singles titles, a remarkable shared figure that still underlines their place among the all-time greats. Evert built much of her dominance on clay, winning seven French Open titles, while also claiming three Wimbledon crowns, six US Open titles and two Australian Opens.
Navratilova, meanwhile, became one of Wimbledon’s defining champions and later faced her own health battles. In 2023, she was diagnosed with stage one throat c@ncer and early-stage breast c@ncer before later receiving the all-clear from doctors.
Their shared experiences, both on court and in life, have given their friendship an added emotional weight. What began as a rivalry full of pressure, pride and history has become a relationship rooted in empathy, loyalty and mutual respect.
The timing of the update was especially poignant because Evert and Navratilova recently appeared together in the Netflix documentary Chris & Martina: The Final Set, where they reflected on their rivalry, their friendship and the health challenges that have changed their lives.
Back at Wimbledon, Balding noted that Evert was still following the tournament from afar and would have been fully invested in the women’s semi-final action even while focusing on her recovery.
For tennis fans, the sight of Navratilova becoming emotional on live television said more than any formal statement could. It showed the human side of sporting greatness: the fear, the love, the loyalty and the deep bonds that remain long after the final point has been played.
As messages of support continue to surround Evert, the tennis world is rallying behind one of its most admired champions — and behind the friendship that has stood the test of rivalry, time and illness.
