Chris Evert
expressed her support for sports commentator Dick Vitale in his journey to
overcome cancer.
The
American tennis legend sent her well wishes to the sports commentator and
former American basketball coach, who also coached the Detroit Pistons in the
NBA.
The
44-year-old has worked as a specialized journalist for ESPN and ABC, primarily
covering basketball. He has been recognized as a significant figure in sports
journalism, winning the accolade of Most Important Sportscaster in 1988 and
having broadcasted over 1000 games.
Vitale, who
was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008, announced in July 2023
that he had been diagnosed with vocal cord cancer. A month later, he shared the
news that after six weeks of treatment with radiation, he would be cancer-free:
"My
22nd Radiation treatment is completed - have 2 treatments Friday & that
will complete the 4th week of my 6 week cycle. My TEAM has been so supportive
thru the process .Just that at the finish line that the radiation was effective
in making my vocal cords CANCER FREE!" Vitale wrote.
18-time
Grand Slam champion Chris Evert showed her support for Vitale. The former world
No. 1 herself battled ovarian cancer in the past and sent her well wishes to
the sports commentator.
"Dick!"
Evert wrote, adding different emojis.
The former
American tennis player mentioned a few months ago that she is cancer-free and
talked about how the diagnosis had changed her life.
"Cancer
changed my perspective on life. Tennis has given me so much: I've been a
player, I've been a coach, I've been a commentator, I've been a leader in the
tennis world, but your health is the most important thing.
“I’ve
realised two things: first, I want to take care of myself the best I can. I've
had many stages in my life: tennis and then raising my sons, but now, it's more
spiritual," she wrote.
"Cancer
makes you reflect on your life, and when you're going through something like
this, you realise the importance of coming to peace with yourself because, you
know what? You are all you have. You also realise how important it is to be of
service to others. That makes me happy," Chris Evert added.
