Evert Insists She’ll Play at Wimbledon

Chris Evert said today that she’ll definitely play Wimbledon next week, despite an ear infection that knocked her out of a warm-up tournament.

Evert, a three-time champion who decided at the last minute to play Wimbledon this year, said her condition has improved since the illness struck early Wednesday.

“I’m feeling much better,” she said as she left for London with her husband, Andy Mill. “I shall be on medication for at least another three days but I shall definitely be playing at Wimbledon next week.”

Evert, 34, is scheduled to play Peanut Harper of the United States in a first-round match Tuesday. It will be her 18th appearance at Wimbledon.

Saying she lacked motivation, Evert skipped the French Open this year, increasing speculation that she would retire. But Evert said the thought of Wimbledon got her going again.