Former British number one Elena Baltacha died of liver cancer at the age of 30 early yesterday morning, her family announced last night.
Baltacha was diagnosed with the illness in January, just two months after retiring from tennis and only weeks after she married her long-time coach Nino Severino.
She revealed her diagnosis to the world just weeks ago in March and had vowed to fight the illness “with everything I have”.
“We are heartbroken beyond words at the loss of our beautiful, talented and determined Bally,” Severino said in a statement released by her family.
“She was an amazing person and she touched so many people with her inspirational spirit, her warmth and her kindness.”
According to her family’s statement, Baltacha died peacefully at home.
Baltacha had retired from professional tennis last November after a career which had seen her ranked as the British No. 1 for 132 weeks, from December 2009 to June 2012.
Her highest singles rank was 49, which she reached in September 2010.
At the age of 19, Ms Baltacha was diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholan-gitis, a chronic liver condition which affects the immune system.
She managed the condition throughout her career with medication and regular blood tests. She went on to win 11 singles titles, and represented Team GB in the 2012 Olympics.
Ms Baltacha had been a patron of the Children’s Liver Disease Foundation since 2010.
Her dad Sergei, played football with St Johnstone, and was player-manager of Inverness Caledonian, and its successor, Inverness Caledonian Thistle, the present day Scottish Premier League club.
Olga, her mother, represented the Soviet Union in both the pentathlon and heptathlon at the Olympic Games. Elena’s brother, also called Sergei, played football for St. Mirren and Millwall.
A spokesman for the Lawn Tennis Association statement said last night: “The news of the death of Elena Baltacha, one of the shining lights of British women’s tennis of recent generations, is devastating to everyone who has ever had the privilege to know her, play against her, or call her a friend or teammate.
“It leaves a huge hole within our sport. Bally gave new meaning to the word ‘fighter.’
“She fought tirelessly during her career against opposition on court, and never gave in to the struggles she endured off it.
“Forever remembered for her relentless determination, unbelievable drive and a willpower that never ceased to amaze us, it was a pleasure to watch Bally develop into a world class player and become an outstanding role model for everyone in the game.”