Jana Novotna, Former Wimbledon Champion has Passed Away Aged 49

[Deleted member 40371]

Former Wimbledon champion, Jana Novotna has passed away aged 49.


https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2...dies-aged-49-former-wimbledon-tennis-champion

Jana Novotna, the Czech tennis player who won the 1998 women’s singles at Wimbledon, has died at the age of 49.

A statement from the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) read: “After a long battle with cancer, Jana died peacefully, surrounded by her family in her native Czech Republic, aged 49.”

She will be deeply be missed, she will be remembered for famously crying on the shoulder of Duchess of Kent after losing the final to Steffi Graf in 1993.

 

[Buzz]

That is too young to die. May she rest in peace.

 

[antmanb]

Oh my goodness that is way too young to die RIP Jana Novotna

 

[SHARPIE]

Aw such a real shame. That's no age.

 

[Lorac]

So very sad. I will never forget her sobbing on the Duchess of Kent's shoulder when she lost that 1993 Wimbledon final to Steffi Graf after being 4-1 up in the final set. And then in 1998 finally winning it after a 2nd defeat in 1997. Cancer doesn't care who you are - it is an insidious disease that hopefully we can one day eradicate.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/42049507

RIP Jana- you will be missed

 

[Miezekatze]

Very sad She always was a player I really liked.

 

[Vagabond]

She will also be remembered for winning Wimbledon at the age of 29 -- comparatively old for a first-time winner -- and for her serve-and-volley style, which was becoming increasingly rare over the course of her career.

 

[AYS]

Way too young. It was a great story when she won Wimbledon after her prior heartbreaks in the final. RIP

 

[skatesindreams]

Gone much too soon!
Jana will be remembered by all who love tennis.

 

[Seerek]

Great to see all the former and current pros and journalists paying tribute to Jana Novotna today; such a gentle soul in the often cutthroat and unforgiving world of individual sport.

 

[Rafter]

So sad.

 

[Aussie Willy]

So sad to hear. She was a great player. Very exciting serve/volley player which we don't see much these days.

 

[elka_sk8]

I was so sad to hear of Jana’s passing. She was my fav player during the 90s and it was so wonderful to see her finally win Wimbledon. May she rest in Peace.

 

[Vash01]

So sad! That's too young. May she Rest In Peace.

 

[liv]

I was very shocked to hear of Jana's passing. Those Wimbledon moments will always be remembered by tennis fans. Such a brilliant grass court player, thwarted time and time again, yet finally getting the trophy she most coveted. Just far too young to go...

 

[butyrskafanatic]

The thing I am finding fascinating is hearing how many of her friends from the tennis world have come out in the coming weeks and said they did not even know she was sick. She truly was a private person, and a very classy one. A really great player too, 1 singles slam was really an understatement of her incredible talent.

 

[Taso]

Oh wow, how did I miss this? Poor thing. I loved her style of play as well. She was like the Butyrskaya of tennis to me. So sorry she is gone