Jana Novotna, a former Wimbeldon champion and Czech tennis player, passed away on Sunday, aged 49. The Women’s Tennis Association made the announcement early on Monday. During her 14-year professional career, Novotna won 24 WTA singles titles and 76 doubles titles, many of which she shared with the legendary Martina Navratilova.
She advanced to the 1998 Wimbledon singles final, when she triumphed over French player Nathalie Tauziat.
Having made it to the Wimbledon final twice previously, Novotna was most remembered for losing to German Steffi Graf in the third set after blowing a commanding lead. She sobbed on the Duchess of Kent’s shoulder during the subsequent prize ceremony.
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