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Tributes as fighter loses her last battle

Tributes as fighter loses her last battle

Tributes have poured in to British tennis star and former UK women’s number one Elena Baltacha who has died of liver cancer at the age of 30.

The star was hailed as a “great fighter” and a “shining light” after her death at home on Sunday.

Baltacha died peacefully surrounded by friends and family and with husband Nino Severino at her side.

She was diagnosed with the illness in January, just two months after retiring from tennis and only weeks after she married her long-term coach. Announcing her diagnosis in March, she vowed to fight the cancer “with everything I have”.

Wimbledon legends Billie Jean King and Martina Navratilova, and British Davis Cup player Ross Hutchins, joined the tributes. King, the former US world number one, said: “My fondest memory with Bally was sharing a wonderful chat when we met the Queen at Wimbledon.”

Navratilova, who previously had cancer, said: “We tennis players always worry about our bodies, trying to keep injuries at bay. But you can’t prevent cancer and you can’t rehab it either and no matter how much of a fighter you are, sometimes cancer wins.”

Ross Hutchins, 29, who was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2012, but announced he was in remission last July, said: “Elena was a fighter and we always knew that.

“Whether it comes down to Fed Cup matches, big matches, or with the disease – everyone knew she was a fighter and we always thought she could get through this battle.”

Baltacha managed a chronic liver condition first diagnosed at the age of 19 throughout her career with medication and blood tests. She went on to win 11 singles titles, and reached the third round of Wimbledon in 2002 and the same stage of the Australian Open in 2005 and 2010.

The daughter of St Johnstone and Inverness Caley Thistle footballer Sergei, she was born in Ukraine but raised in the UK. She reached a career-high world ranking of 49 in 2010 and was UK number one for 132 weeks from 2009 to 2012. She struggled with injury and illness throughout, and ankle problems eventually forced her to retire.

In 2010 she launched the Elena Baltacha Academy of Tennis, which helps children from all backgrounds to learn and play tennis.

The previously announced “Rally for Bally” – a fundraiser due to be played in June – will now go ahead in her memory.

Her childhood friend Andy Murray has committed to play in the event.

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