In her role as USTA Foundation chairperson, 18-time Grand Slam champion Chris Evert is all in on the organization's mission: combining tennis and education to change the lives of under-resourced youth throughout the United States. But since she revealed a stage 1 ovarian cancer diagnosis in January, Evert's taken on a second, equally important mission: raising awareness for women's health.
For her efforts, Evert will be honored by ESPN next month at the network's Sports Humanitarian Awards, in conjunction with its annual ESPYs, with a Stuart Scott ENSPIRE Award. She's one of three honorees this year alongside Steve Gleason, a former NFL player who's suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease; and Dikembe Mutombo, who's been a champion for humanitarian causes in both the U.S. and his native Democratic Republic of Congo since his 18-year playing career ended.
The Sports Humanitarian Awards, in their eighth year, celebrate the impact made by athletes, teams and industry professionals who are using sports to make a difference in their communities and throughout the world.
“We’re thrilled to recognize and celebrate those who are following in the footsteps of iconic humanitarians in sports including Muhammad Ali and Billie Jean King, and are using the power of sports to create change,” said Kevin Martinez, vice president of ESPN Corporate Citizenship. “A week of powerful programming including and leading up to the ESPYS will showcase that the impact of sports reverberates well beyond the field of play and into communities across the globe.”
As chairperson of the USTA Foundation, Evert has overseen the organization's last two major fundraising campaigns in support of the National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) network. In 2020, the Rally to Rebuild campaign raised more than $5 million in support of NJTLs impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, while Rally for the Future, its successor, launched last year. With a $20 million target over the next three years, Rally for the Future is the largest single fundraising campaign in the 27-year history of the USTA Foundation.
Evert completed her sixth and final chemotherapy treatment in May, and has been candid about her experiences in the hopes of helping others. In a piece she co-wrote with ESPN's Chris McKendry announcing her diagnosis, Evert was emphatic.
“Be your own advocate. Know your family’s history. Have total awareness of your body, follow your gut and be aware of changes,” Evert said. “Don’t try to be a crusader and think this will pass.”
Evert's younger sister, former pro tennis player Jeanne Evert Dubin, died from ovarian cancer in 2020 at the age of 62. Her cancer had spread before it was detected, and Evert credited genetic testing she underwent as a result with catching her cancer early and saving her life.
"I was so lucky, I was so lucky," Evert told good friend Mary Carillo in a recent segment on HBO's "Real Sports" that chronicled her fight. “I know she would want me to survive.”
Watch: Chris Evert discusses her cancer diagnosis with Mary Carillo on HBO
The Sports Humanitarian Awards will feature as part of a week-long slate of inspirational programming that showcases service, character and achievement in sports ahead of the ESPYs. The ESPYs will air live on ABC on July 20 at 8 p.m. ET.