Former Wimbledon champion Jana Novotna dies aged 49

The tennis world is in mourning today after the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) announced that 1998 Wimbledon champion Jana Novotna has died at the age of 49.

The Czech passed away yesterday after a long battle with cancer. She “died peacefully, surrounded by her family in her native Czech Republic”, the WTA said in a statement.

Novotna won 24 WTA singles titles during her 14-year career as well as 17 Grand Slam titles, including 12 in doubles and four in mixed doubles.

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It’s her exploits at Wimbledon that will go down in history for tennis fans. After her loss to Steffi Graf in 1993 she burst into tears during the trophy presentation and was consoled on court by the Duchess of Kent. However, five years later she finally got her hands on the winner’s trophy after defeating France’s Nathalie Tauziat 6-4, 7-6 in the 1998 final.

“Jana was an inspiration both on and off court to anyone who had the opportunity to know her,” said WTA chief executive Steve Simon. “Her star will always shine brightly in the history of the WTA. Our condolences and our thoughts are with Jana’s family.”

Tennis players, fans and media paid tribute to Novotna today.

“Gutted and beyond words”.

BBC staff say goodbye to a member of their team.

Remembering an all-time favourite tennis moment.

Tennis has lost a role model.

The emotion of sport.

A true champion.