Live

Highlights on Off The Ball

02:00 PM-06:00 PM

Highlights on Off The Ball
Advertisement
Other Sports

Desperately sad to hear Jana Novotna has died

The 1998 Wimbledon champion Jana Novotna has passed away, aged 49, after a long battle with cance...



Desperately sad to hear Jana N...
Other Sports

Desperately sad to hear Jana Novotna has died

The 1998 Wimbledon champion Jana Novotna has passed away, aged 49, after a long battle with cancer. 

Novotna, a traditional serve and volley player, was one of many talents to emerge from the Czech Republic after Martina Navratilova and Hana Mandlikova.

She was originally known as a brilliant doubles player, striking a decent partnership with Helena Sukova, and eventually winning every doubles Grand Slam title. 

It was Wimbledon though where her love affair with the game and the masses came under the spotlight. In the 1993 final against Steffi Graf, she was 4-1 up in the final set and cruising. The gold dish was in her grasp. Then, the occasion possibly got the better of her and Graf would reel off 5 games in a row to shatter her dreams. Novotna broke down in tears on Centre Court and was comforted by the Duchess of Kent. It was painful viewing. 

So it's poignant now that there was a redemption song for Novotna. After losing the 1997 Wimbledon decider to Martina Hingis, she dethroned Hingis in the 1998 semi final en route to a straight sets victory over Nathalie Tauziat. Finally, she was Wimbledon champion. 

The tears returned, but this time they were of joy. 

May she rest in peace. 

Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!

Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.