WTA: The tennis world mourns the loss of Jana Novotna

Former Wimbledon winner Jana Novotna passed away at the age of 49. This was announced by WTA on its website with great sympathy.

Jana Novotna died on Sunday from cancer for many years. The former best doubles player in the world and number two in singles was only 49 years old.

Novotna had co-founded a new style of playing as an active player, her aggressive play with frequent net attacks resembled that of her then compatriot Martina Navratilova.

In 1998 Novotna celebrated her greatest triumph – she was able to lift the trophy in Wimbledon. The Czech won against Nathalie Tauziat from France in two sets, having been defeated twice in the final before: in 1997 by Martina Hingis from Switzerland, four years before in a legendary final with Steffi Graf. Novotna had led in the third set with 4:1 and 40:15 at that time – and had to take comfort in the end as a loser from the Germans.

In total, Novotna won 24 individual titles and 76 doubles during her career. In addition, there were three Olympic medals and the 1998 Fed Cup victory.

Steve Simon, head of WTA, was deeply concerned:”Jana was an inspiration for all those who knew her on and off the pitch. Its star will always shine brightly in the history of WTA. Our sympathy and thoughts are with Jana’s family.”