Wimbledon champion Jana Novotna dies after battle with cancer

An old photo of Jana Novotna shows her enjoying Wimbledon women’s singles triumph in 1998. She died at 49 on Monday after suffering from cancer. (AFP)

Updated on: Nov 20, 2017 7:01 PM IST

Sports

Share via

• 
• 
• 
• 

Copy link

• 

1/9

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Nov 20, 2017 7:01 PM

An old photo of Jana Novotna shows her enjoying Wimbledon women’s singles triumph in 1998. She died at 49 on Monday after suffering from cancer. (AFP)

2/9

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Nov 20, 2017 7:01 PM

In a career spanning 14 years that included 24 WTA singles titles and 76 doubles titles, Novotna finally won her only singles Grand Slam at Wimbledon in 1998. (AFP)

3/9

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Nov 20, 2017 7:01 PM

Jana won three Olympic medals, securing a bronze in singles and silver in doubles with Helena Sukova in Atlanta in 1996. (AFP)

4/9

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Nov 20, 2017 7:01 PM

She won the hearts of fans around the world when she burst into tears after throwing away victory against Steffi Graf in the 1993 final and was consoled afterwards by a British duchess (AP)

5/9

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Nov 20, 2017 7:01 PM

In 2015, Novotna spoke to Czech newspaper Mlada Fronta Dnes of her love for the sport and said she could not go a day without tennis. (AP)

6/9

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Nov 20, 2017 7:01 PM

Jana Novotna stayed active in tennis after retiring through coaching, television commentary and attending major tournament and charity matches. (AP)

7/9

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Nov 20, 2017 7:01 PM

Jana Novotna holds up her certificate after being inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island July 9, 2005. (REUTERS)

8/9

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Nov 20, 2017 7:01 PM

Jana Novotna mentored players such as 2013 Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli and fellow Czech Barbora Krejcikova. (REUTERS)

9/9

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Nov 20, 2017 7:01 PM

Jana Novotna, who entered the tennis Hall of Fame in 2005, died surrounded by her family in the Czech Republic, the WTA said. (AP)