![\"Jenna](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Jenna-Ricker_Martina-Navratilova_Rebecca-Gitlitz_London.JPG\")
<\/p>\nOn the eve of Wimbledon, The All England Lawn Tennis Club hosted a special screening of new Netflix documentary “Chris & Martina: The Final Set,” attended by current players and tennis legends, media and film industry figures, and the wider WTA community.<\/p>\n
The film documents the parallel cancer journeys of Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova, in the context of their iconic rivalry and enduring friendship. What was already set to be a poignant moment at SW19 took on even greater significance Friday, after news emerged that Evert underwent surgery Tuesday following an abnormal scan that revealed a recurrence of her ovarian cancer.<\/p>\n
Speaking to the audience ahead of the screening, director Rebecca Gitlitz admitted her initial instinct had been to call off the London celebration after a triumphant world premiere at the Tribeca Festival earlier in June.<\/p>\n
But former World No.1 Evert, who had been about to set off for London to join Navratilova at the event before taking up her usual Wimbledon commentary role for ESPN, was insistent.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe went back and forth, and I said I thought we should cancel,\u201d said New York-based filmmaker Gitlitz. \u201cAnd she texted me back in her Chris stoicism, and said, \u2018No. Me having cancer magnifies the message. Go to Wimbledon for me, for the film, for Martina. It\u2019s the most profound, honest documentary of the year.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
The award-winning filmmaker continued: \u201cI let it go, and Chrissie had surgery. Martina and I talked, and we cried. Plans were made, planes were delayed.\u201d<\/p>\n
https:\/\/nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fx.com%2Fchrissieevert%2Fstatus%2F2070163987837391078%3Fs%3D46&data=05%7C02%7CMWilansky%40wtaventures.com%7C50f1c53eb5fb411b48c608ded4477405%7Cccebfe25c6c1436a997d5480160770b1%7C0%7C0%7C639181600759948443%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=VMOvcyRHuTu633DVC01NobbP%2Bw4pHPAzKMYNVh3u6g8%3D&reserved=0<\/p>\n
In the end, a 6 a.m. text from Evert on Wednesday spurred Gitlitz to finally board a flight for London.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want you to read something for me,\u201d Evert\u2019s message said.<\/p>\n
Little more than 24 hours later, Gitlitz steeled herself to deliver the 18-time Grand Slam champion\u2019s heartfelt words before letting the film, three years in the making, speak for itself.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m so sad not to be there with all of you today,\u201d Evert wrote. \u201cI\u2019ve been sitting here for two hours, pretty overwhelmed, trying to put into words how joyful, liberating, and at times painful this film was to make.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur director, Rebecca Gitlitz did a beautiful job weaving in our rivalry, friendship, and cancer together into an empowering film. Martina and I were all in, and committed to the truth, because we knew that this would not work unless we allowed ourselves to be vulnerable. We wanted to take the narrative into our own hands, for once in our long lives, and leave this as our legacy.<\/p>\n
\u201cCancer strips you raw and leaves you with what is only most important and cherished. There is no-one I would rather be in the trenches with than Martina. I hope you enjoy the film, as much as we enjoyed making it. This was a labor of love for all of us.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gitlitz said she is often asked why this film is different, why it matters in a sea of sports documentaries and competition for viewer attention.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, I guess, that\u2019s the answer,\u201d she said. \u201cBecause if Chris and Martina can be brave, and vulnerable, and keep going, then we all should. Let\u2019s learn from the best of the best.\u201d<\/p>\n
An exclusive clip from ‘Chris & Martina: The Final Set’<\/p>\n
Having twice come through her own cancer diagnoses, Navratilova was understandably emotional as she stood beside Gitlitz to welcome the audience.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is an amazing story that goes way beyond tennis, way beyond anything else,\u201d she said. \u201cWe wanted to shine a light on this horrible disease. I don\u2019t normally pray, but I\u2019m going to pray for Chris.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Getty Images\n <\/p>\n
Navratilova\u2019s wife, Julia Lemigova, lent her support at the screening, along with their daughter, Emma Lemigova Courtin.<\/p>\n
Current and former players in attendance included Ajla Tomljanovic, Maria Sakkari, Pam Shriver, Liz Smylie, Elna Reinach, Clare Wood, Louise Pleming, Cara Black, Jill Craybas, Trish Bostrom, Penny Moor and Pam Whytcross.<\/p>\n
“Chris & Martina: The Final Set” is available now on Netflix.<\/p>\n
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