Tennis legend Chris Evert is battling ovarian cancer for the third time. Her cancer returned in late June, just before the premiere of ‘Chris & Martina: The Final Set’ on Netflix. This meant Evert would not serve as an announcer at Wimbledon, as she needed to begin treatment.
Evert’s Third Cancer Battle Highlighted
Evert was treated for ovarian cancer in 2022 and again during filming in 2023. Her recent battle marks the third time she has faced ovarian cancer. Former on-court rivals Martina Navratilova and Billie Jean King are among those showing their support.
“Chris & Martina: The Final Set” Documentary Explores Rivalry and Friendship
The Netflix film explores the saga of Evert and Martina Navratilova, two of tennis’s greatest stars. It covers their developing camaraderie, which then developed into an icy rivalry before being reborn as a friendship for the ages. From 1973 through 1990, one or both were in the finals every year 16 times, and they faced each other there nine times.
The documentary devotes plenty of attention to their 80 showdowns; 60 of these were in finals. Evert won Wimbledon three times among her 18 Grand Slams, while Navratilova captured a record nine Wimbledon titles among her 18 Grand Slams. The documentary is framed around each legend’s recent battles with cancer, with Navratilova having faced a recurrence of breast cancer as well as throat cancer in 2023.
Cancer Awareness and Personal Journeys in Focus
Navratilova spoke by phone about the film, the friendship, and their cancer battles. She hoped the film would convey their rivalry, which has been ‘kind of forgotten in modern time’. A major reason for making the documentary was due to their cancers, aiming to shine a light on it.
They wanted to encourage people, especially women, to pay attention to their bodies and not put off mammograms. For Evert, genetic screening was a significant factor, as ‘That’s what saved her’. Navratilova stated that cancer is not the death sentence it used to be, emphasising that the sooner it is caught, the better the outcome.
The film also highlights contrasting approaches to treatment, showing Navratilova facing her treatment alone, while Evert had her ex-husband Andy Mill by her side. This contrast aims to show viewers that ‘Everybody’s different’, and in those moments, individuals do what they have to do for themselves. Navratilova noted that one must ‘get completely selfish about it in a good way,’ telling people what is needed, whether it is wanting 10 people in the room or for everybody to get out.
The film’s hopeful ending has a bittersweet twist due to Evert’s cancer returning just before its premiere. Ultimately, the documentary aims to highlight both a legendary rivalry and the critical importance of cancer awareness.