Elena Baltacha Loses Battle With Liver Cancer
Former British number one women’s player Elena Baltacha passed away Sunday morning at the age of 30, two months after being diagnosed with liver cancer. She was surrounded by family and friends as she passed away peacefully.
“We are deeply grieved to lose our friend Elena Baltacha in her battle with cancer,” said Stacey Allaster, chair and CEO of the WTA. “Elena’s journey was never an easy one and yet she consistently showed her strength, good humor and indomitable spirit. I am honored that I had the opportunity to know Elena, to call her Bally as her friends do. She was a gift that was taken from us too soon, she will be deeply missed.”
Baltacha had been diagnosed with a chronic liver condition when she was 19, and received her cancer diagnosis this past January. In her prime, she was one of the top British women’s players, cracking the Top 50 world rankings back in 2010. She made it as far as the third round in three Grand Slam events before ankle issues forced her to retire in November.
Her goal was to continue to grow and develop the next generation of British tennis players, and had even created the Elena Baltacha Academy of Tennis. She had a charity tennis event scheduled for this June, “Rally Against Cancer-Rally for Bally,” which will continue in her memory to raise money for the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity and the Elena Baltacha Foundation.
“We are heartbroken beyond words at the loss of our beautiful, talented and determined Bally,” said her husband and long-time coach Nino Severino in a statement. “She was an amazing person and she touched so many people with her inspirational spirit, her warmth and her kindness.”
