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Tag: Elena Baltacha

  • Elena Baltacha Honored By Pro Tennis Community Following Her Death

    Elena Baltacha was one of the best female tennis players out of Britain. Throughout her 11 year career, she won numerous matches on the ITF circuit in both singles and doubles. She also held the distinction of being British No. 1 for 132 weeks from December 2009 to June 2012. Sadly, she never got to further her career as disease took her from the sport she loved.

    The Guardian reports that Baltacha, 30, died of liver cancer on Sunday, May 4. While she had only been recently diagnosed with cancer early this year, she has been living with primary sclerosing cholangitis since she was 19. The disease affects the bile ducts and often leads to liver cancer sooner or later. Even so, she continued to play tennis up until last year. She then retired from the sport and married her former trainer Nino Severino.

    Announcing her death, Severino released the following statement:

    “We are heartbroken beyond words at the loss of our beautiful, talented and determined Bally. She was an amazing person and she touched so many people with her inspirational spirit, her warmth and her kindness.”

    In remembrance, the tennis players at the Mutua Madrid Open on Monday opened with a moment of silence for Baltacha. Those tennis players not in attendance shared their condolences on Twitter:

    Before her death, the tennis community was planning “Rally for Bally” – a charity event to benefit the Elena Baltacha Academy of Tennis and the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. The event is still scheduled for June and those who want to donate now can do so here. The event has already raised over £10,000 since it began and will likely raise as we approach the rally in June.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Elena Baltacha, Former British Tennis Player, Dies

    Elena Baltacha, a former British tennis player, died from liver cancer on Sunday. She was only 30-years-old.

    Baltacha, who was born in the Ukraine but was raised in Scotland, revealed that she had cancer in March after being diagnosed in January.

    Her diagnosis came only two months after she officially retired from the sport, due to ankle problems, and a few short weeks after she married her long-time coach Nino Severino.

    “We are heartbroken beyond words at the loss of our beautiful, talented and determined Bally,” Severino said. “She was an amazing person and she touched so many people with her inspirational spirit, her warmth and her kindness.”

    Baltacha was diagnosed with a chronic liver condition called primary sclerosing cholangitis at the age of 19. Despite her illness, Baltacha became the number one British player and reached the third round of the Grand Slam tournaments at Wimbledon in 2002, and then again at the Australian Open in 2005 and 2010. Her highest rank was in 2010 when she was 49th. Throughout her career, Baltacha also won 11 single titles.

    “We have lost a shining light from the heart of British tennis – a true role model, a great competitor and a wonderful friend,” Iain Bates, the former Fed Cup coach said. “We have so many special memories to cherish, but this leaves a gaping hole for everybody in both British and women’s tennis, and words simply cannot express how saddened we are by this news,” Bates said. “All our thoughts are with Nino and the rest of Elena’s family. We will miss you, Bal.”

    The Lawn Tennis Association also paid tribute to Baltacha. “Forever remembered for her relentless determination, unbelievable drive and a will-power that never ceased to amaze us, it was a pleasure to watch Bally develop into a world-class player,” the LTA said in a statement.

    “With her enthusiasm, spirit and passion for life, she was a pure joy to be around and, having recently got married to her husband Nino Severino, she was embarking on a new chapter in her life,” the statement continued. “She fought tirelessly during her career against opposition on court and never gave in to the struggles she endured off it. The health issues she battled since her teenage years made what she achieved during her career all the more impressive.”

    Image via Wikimedia Commons