Jana Novotna Has Passed Away At Age 49

by Staff | November 20th, 2017, 9:44 am
  • 9 Comments

Sad news in the tennis world today. After a long battle with cancer, former Wimbledon champion Jana Novotna passed away Sunday at the age of 49, the WTA announced.

Novotna won 24 singles titles, 76 in doubles, reached a career high No. 2. She won Wimbledon in 1998 beating Nathalie Tauziat, and reached the finals two other times, famously losing a 4-1 lead the third to Steffi Graf in 1993, then breaking down on the Dutchess of Kent’s shoulder during the trophy ceremony.

Steve Simon, WTA CEO, said: “Jana was an inspiration both on and off 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 our thoughts are with Jana’s family.”



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9 Comments for Jana Novotna Has Passed Away At Age 49

skeezer Says:

RIP Jana. Her tennis story was a good one. Gone too soon.

November 20th, 2017 at 9:59 am


Willow Says:

Shocking she was the same age as me scary stuff, quite a nice lady, R.I.P Jans :-(

November 20th, 2017 at 11:31 am


SG1 Says:

Sad story. A very class lady.

November 20th, 2017 at 12:36 pm


chrisford1 Says:

A very well liked player in her day. One of my Mom’s favorites. I remember her as tall, playing with passion..
Cancer is a thief. It steals life, often long before “their time to pass away naturally – aged and infirm”

November 20th, 2017 at 1:58 pm


Leo Says:

So sad to hear this!

I remember reading somewhere that Jana was with Martina, when Martina had to go through some cancer related tests. How sad this should happen to her at such a young age.

A life that shone so brightly for far too short. I feel for her loved ones.

November 20th, 2017 at 5:11 pm


RZ Says:

Very sad indeed. As Skeezer said, her story was a good one. I think just about everyone was happy when she finally won Wimbledon.

November 20th, 2017 at 5:41 pm


Skorocel Says:

Jana’s Wimby 93 final vs Graf got me into the game of tennis. Will always remember her for her intense yet so graceful play – a pure joy to watch, especially on grass. One of the last, if not the very last prominent female tennis player to master the now extinct serve & volley technique. Too bad there aren’t any players of her kind in the present game:-( Her attacking net game played with that distinctive passion and grace will be forever missed…

November 20th, 2017 at 6:46 pm


senorita Says:

RIP, Jana.

November 20th, 2017 at 11:48 pm


Tony N Says:

“Seven years ago, Jana Novotna’s close friend Martina Navratilova was facing her own battle to the deadly disease. She was diagnosed with breast cancer and had to undergo surgery and six weeks of radiation. Novotna was on hand to help Navratilova fight the illness – by driving her in for treatment.
Tennis journalist Anuradha Santhanam tweeted today: “Jana Novotna would drive Martina Navratilova to radiation therapy during Martina’s own battle with breast cancer in 2010. Today, she lost her own. RIP.”
Navratilova herself paid tribute to Novotna this morning on Twitter. She wrote: “The tennis world is so sad about the passing of Jana Novotna…I am gutted and beyond words- Jana was a true friend and an amazing woman…”
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/tennis/881948/Jana-Novotna-Martina-Navratilova-cancer

November 21st, 2017 at 8:17 pm

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