News

Ex-Wimbledon Champion Jana Novotna Dies Of Cancer At 49

Jana Novotna, a former Wimbledon champion, died in her native Czech Republic on Sunday at age 49.

Tennis player Jana Novotna Death news

Novotna — who famously cried on the Duchess of Kent’s shoulder after losing a Wimbledon singles final in 1993 — had cancer. She won Wimbledon in 1998.

Throughout her 12-year career, she earned 17 Grand Slam titles, 16 of them in doubles and mixed doubles, in addition to three Olympic medals.

Novotna fell to Steffi Graf 7-6 (8-6), 1-6, 6-4 in the finals at London’s All England Club after leading 4-1 in the last set. She defeated France’s Nathalie Tauziat five years later for the Wimbledon trophy.

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!

A week of sports news in your in-box.
We find the sports news you need to know, so you don't have to.

“Jana was an inspiration both on and off the court to anyone who had the opportunity to know her,” said Steve Simon, the World Tennis Association’s chief executive. “Her star will always shine brightly in the history of the W.T.A.”


3 Sep 1999: Jana Novotna of Czech Republic returns the ball during a match in the US Open at the USTA National Tennis Courts in Flushing Meadows, New York. Mandatory Credit: Al Bello /Allsport

 

Pablo Mena

Writer and assistant editor for usports.org. NY Giants and Rangers fan. Film and TV enthusiast (especially Harry Potter and The Office) and lover of foreign languages and cultures.

Recent Posts

Paul George Exits With Knee Injury As 76ers Fall To 2-12 In Loss To Grizzlies

With their big three finally back in action Wednesday, the Philadelphia 76ers suffered another setback…

4 hours ago

VIDEO: Nike Pays Tribute to Rafael Nadal With 30-Foot Projection In Front of Eiffel Tower

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/tny--EWynOQ Nike paid tribute to Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal with a 10-meter-tall animated display…

22 hours ago

VIDEO: Rafael Nadal Gets Emotional Tribute as He Retires From Tennis

https://youtu.be/dtJoJz9hC48 Tennis legend Rafael Nadal bid a heartfelt goodbye to his devoted Spanish fans as he brought…

22 hours ago

VIDEO EXCLUSIVE: U.S. Olympic Fencer Eli Dershwitz Explains The Art Of Fencing

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/DQ9Rxhnuer4 U.S. Olympic fencer Eli Dershwitz shed light on the critical skills necessary in fencing…

2 days ago

Two Bears Offensive Linemen Return To Practice, Caleb Williams Desperate For Blocking

Two offensive linemen for the Chicago Bears returned to practice, a massive step in the…

3 days ago

VIDEO: UFC Heavyweight Champion Performs Viral Trump Dance In New York

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/s2g9t_33Myw President-elect Donald Trump received a warm welcome from Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) fighter Jon…

4 days ago