Former Wimbledon champion, Jana Novotna, has died at the age of 49.
The Czech sports star, who won the title in 1998, passed away in her home country, the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) said on Monday.
“After a long battle with cancer, Jana died peacefully, surrounded by her family in her native Czech Republic,” the WTA said on its website.
She lost both 1993 and 1997 Wimbledon finals before finally winning in London when she beat Nathalie Tauziat in 1998.
Novotna won the hearts of tennis fans around the world when she burst into tears after losing to German great Steffi Graf in 1993 and was consoled by the Duchess of Kent.
She said the Duchess had told her “she would do it” when she went to collect her runner-up trophy.
Novotna was renowned for her aggressive serve and volley game and achieved a career-high singles ranking of number two.
She also won four Wimbledon doubles titles with compatriot Helena Sukova in 1989 and 1990, with Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario in 1995 and with Martina Hingis in 1998.
Wearing her distinctive headband, she won doubles titles at all four Grand Slam tournaments.
Born on October 2, 1968, Novotna won a total of 24 singles tournaments and 76 doubles tournaments in her career that spanned from 1987 to 1999.
She also won the Fed Cup with the former Czechoslovakia in 1988.
WTA CEO Steve Simon said: “Jana was an inspiration both on and off court to anyone who had the opportunity to know her.
“Her star will always shine brightly in the history of the WTA.
“Our condolences and our thoughts are with Jana’s family.”
