Jana Novotna dead aged 49: Former Wimbledon champion dies peacefully after long battle with cancer

Former Wimbledon champion Jana Novotna has died from cancer at the age of 49.

The Czech player won Wimbledon in 1998, five years after famously breaking down in tears on the shoulder of the Duchess of Kent following an agonising defeat by Steffi Graf.

That triumph proved to be the only Grand Slam singles success of an illustrious career in which Novotna won 24 singles titles and reached a career-high No2 in the world.

She was ranked No1 in the doubles world, with 16 Grand Slams doubles titles in total. Her record also included a Fed Cup victory in 1988 as well as three Olympic medals — two silvers and a bronze.

The Women’s Tennis Association said Novotna had died peacefully surrounded by her family in her native Czech Republic.

WTA chief executive Steve Simon said: “Jana was an inspiration both on and off the 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 thoughts are with Jana’s family.”Former tennis player Pam

Shriver, who won 22 Grand Slam doubles titles, said: “Jana was as kind as she was athletic, as smart as she was competitive. I cannot believe she is gone this soon. Her smile lives forever young.”

It was at Wimbledon, in particular, where Novotna became a firm fans’ favourite.

She had looked on course for the title in 1993 when leading Graf 4-1 in the third and deciding set only for her game to fall apart. She lost five consecutive games against the German, who was the dominant player in the women’s game.

At the trophy presentation, she burst into tears and was consoled by the Duchess of Kent, who reassured her that she would return to grace the Wimbledon Final again. Despite the emotion of the defeat, Novotna insisted that she looked upon it fondly. In one recent interview, she said: “I think about it all the time. I love it.

“It’s funny because a lot of people think that losing to Steffi Graf in 1993 was a bad experience. For me, it was the best thing that happened in my life.

“The next day, because of everything that happened during the ceremony and during the match, I opened the newspapers and I was on the front page of every newspaper. I felt like a winner.

“It’s funny because it’s something people remember more than me actually winning Wimbledon.”

She reached the final again in 1997 only to come unstuck in three sets against Martina Hingis. The following year, she was a finalist once more and it was third time lucky as she defeated Natalie Tauziat in straight sets to win the title.

It marked her out as the oldest first-time Grand Slam singles winner in history at the time, achieving the feat just three months shy of her 30th birthday.

Novotna was inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame in 2005 and moved into commentary following her retirement from the game. She was part of the BBC’s team during the Wimbledon fortnight.