Martina Navratilova Urges People to ‘Pay Attention to Their Bodies’ After Cancer Journey: ‘Don’t Let it Slide’ (Exclusive)

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Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert discuss their cancer journeys in a new Netflix documentary premiering June 26

Both tennis legends emphasize the importance of genetic testing and regular health checkups to catch issues early

Navratilova credits her tennis career for teaching resilience during her cancer battle and encourages others to stay vigilant

Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert are encouraging people to stay on top of their health.

The tennis greats spoke to PEOPLE at the Tribeca Film Festival while promoting their new documentary, Chris & Martina: The Final Set, which premieres on Netflix on June 26. In the film, both women discuss the impact of their respective cancer journeys.

Evert, 71, was diagnosed with stage 1 ovarian cancer in 2021, a year after her sister died of the disease. Navratilova, 69, first faced breast cancer in 2010 and underwent a lumpectomy. Then in 2023, she learned her breast cancer had returned — and she also had throat cancer.

Evert tells PEOPLE that being vulnerable about their cancer journeys on screen was intentional, hoping to raise awareness in the process.

"It humbles you when you've had the highest of highs and then you get cancer. It just makes you feel like you're just like everybody else, you know? I mean, hopefully we felt that way anyway, but it's like this is a terrible disease that anybody can get," she explained. "Part of the reason why we're doing this is just to get the word out about genetic testing and about getting your checkups. If you feel anything different in your body, get it taken care of right away."

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Navratilova added they were both lucky enough to have access to the best healthcare. However, she notes that not everyone is in the same situation, stressing the importance of staying on top of your own health.

"We just want people to pay attention to their bodies because you never know what that little mole may be," she said. "So if you see something, say something or go to the doctor, check it out. Don't let it slide."

Navratilova also told PEOPLE that her lengthy tennis career helped her approach her cancer journey.

"Being a tennis player, you fail all the time. You know, you may win three more points than your opponent, but you win the match, that's what matters," she said. "And that was the same thing with cancer. You persevere. You get knocked down and you keep getting up, and that's what we did," she said.

"It made us tougher and more resilient," Evert said.

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